RF Safe

Radiofrequency microtenotomy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis shows good early results.

Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons · 2010 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3318

In 14 patients (15 feet) treated with TOPAZ RF microdebridement, mean AOFAS hindfoot scores improved from 34.47 pre-operatively to 69.27 at 3 months and 71.33 at 6 months (p=0.00). SF-36 bodily pain decreased and physical and social function scores increased;…

Study snapshot

PublicationFoot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons · 2010
Study typeother
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Microtenotomy coblation using a radiofrequency (RF) probe is a minimally invasive procedure for treating chronic tendinopathy. It has been described for conditions including tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendinitis. There have been no studies to show the effectiveness of such a procedure for plantar fasciitis. METHODS: 14 Patients with plantar fasciitis with failed conservative treatment underwent TOPAZ RF treatment for their symptoms between 2007 and 2008. The RF-based microdebridement was performed using the TOPAZ Microdebrider device (ArthroCare, Sunnyvale, CA). There were 6 men and 8 women with an average age of 44.0 years (23-57). There were 15 feet, with 6 right and 9 left feet. They were followed up for up to 6 months thereafter. Pre-operative, 3 and 6 months post-operative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot and SF-36 scores were analysed. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in mean pre-operative, post-operative 3- and 6-month AOFAS hindfoot scores from 34.47 to 69.27 and 71.33 (p=0.00) respectively. There was a significant decrease in SF-36 for bodily pain, and significant increases in physical and social function scores. 12 out of 14 (85.7%) patients reported good to excellent satisfaction results at 6 months, and 12 out of 14 (85.7%) patients have had their expectations met from the procedure at 6 months follow up. CONCLUSION: TOPAZ RF coblation is a good and effective method for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Early results are encouraging, and we will continue to assess the patients over a longer follow-up period.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients with plantar fasciitis with failed conservative treatment
Sample size14
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 14 patients (15 feet) treated with TOPAZ RF microdebridement, mean AOFAS hindfoot scores improved from 34.47 pre-operatively to 69.27 at 3 months and 71.33 at 6 months (p=0.00). SF-36 bodily pain decreased and physical and social function scores increased; 12/14 (85.7%) reported good-to-excellent satisfaction and 12/14 reported expectations met at 6 months.

Outcomes measured

  • AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score
  • SF-36 (bodily pain, physical function, social function)
  • Patient satisfaction
  • Expectations met

Limitations

  • Small sample size (14 patients)
  • Follow-up limited to up to 6 months
  • No control/comparator group described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "medical device/procedure (radiofrequency coblation microtenotomy)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with plantar fasciitis with failed conservative treatment",
  "sample_size": 14,
  "outcomes": [
    "AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score",
    "SF-36 (bodily pain, physical function, social function)",
    "Patient satisfaction",
    "Expectations met"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 14 patients (15 feet) treated with TOPAZ RF microdebridement, mean AOFAS hindfoot scores improved from 34.47 pre-operatively to 69.27 at 3 months and 71.33 at 6 months (p=0.00). SF-36 bodily pain decreased and physical and social function scores increased; 12/14 (85.7%) reported good-to-excellent satisfaction and 12/14 reported expectations met at 6 months.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (14 patients)",
    "Follow-up limited to up to 6 months",
    "No control/comparator group described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "coblation",
    "microtenotomy",
    "microdebridement",
    "TOPAZ",
    "plantar fasciitis",
    "AOFAS",
    "SF-36"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2009.10.008
PubMed: 21047605

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