Inferior Calcaneal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Heel Pain
Turkey (Türkiye)31 participantsStarted 2025-03-31
Plain-language summary
This prospective single-arm pilot interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of the inferior calcaneal nerve in patients with chronic heel pain refractory to conservative treatments. Patients with plantar fasciitis or calcaneal spur who have not responded to multiple treatment modalities, including exercise, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotics, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and corticosteroid injections, will be included. The procedure will be performed under ultrasound guidance. Pain intensity, functional status, and patient satisfaction will be assessed at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome is treatment success, defined as a ≥50% reduction in pain intensity at 1 month compared to baseline.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 75 years
* Chronic heel pain lasting longer than 6 months
* Clinical (tenderness and/or pain at the medial calcaneal tubercle) and radiological (X-ray or ultrasound) diagnosis of plantar fasciitis or calcaneal spur
* Refractory to at least four conservative treatment modalities, including exercise therapy, orthotic support (silicone heel pad), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and/or corticosteroid injection
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of trauma to the foot or ankle
* History of foot or ankle surgery
* Presence of systemic inflammatory disease
* Presence of peripheral neuropathy or S1 radiculopathy
* Pregnancy
* Hemodynamic instability
* Presence of skin or soft tissue infection at the injection site
* Refusal to participate in the study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Pain Intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS)