Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus 5% Dextrose Injection in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis (NCT07688876) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus 5% Dextrose Injection in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Turkey (Türkiye)50 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
This prospective, two-center, randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency and 5% dextrose injection in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Eligible participants will be randomized into two parallel groups. One group will receive ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment, and the other group will receive ultrasound-guided 5% dextrose injection using the peppering technique. All participants will receive a home-based plantar fascia stretching exercise program. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes will include foot function, activity-related pain, ankle-hindfoot function, and health-related quality of life.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 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:
* Diagnosis of chronic plantar fasciitis based on medical history and physical examination
* Heel pain resistant to conservative treatment for at least 12 weeks
* Age between 18 and 70 years
* Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Congenital or acquired disease that may impair or prevent foot function, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemiplegia, congenital foot deformity, traumatic foot or leg amputation, or fracture sequelae
* Local infection or skin disease at the treatment site
* Bleeding disorder or use of anticoagulant medication within the last week
* Disease causing mental dysfunction, such as uncontrolled Parkinson disease or Alzheimer disease
* Previous surgery for plantar fasciitis
* Refusal to participate in the study or inability to provide informed consent
* Failure to attend follow-up visits after treatment
* Request to withdraw from the study
* Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
* Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
* History of epilepsy
* Active or previous malignancy
* Rheumatologic disease
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.
1This trial is comparing pulsed radiofrequency against a 5% dextrose injection for chronic plantar fasciitis — can you explain what each of these two procedures actually involves, and how they differ from the standard treatments I might otherwise receive?
2Since this trial is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's a procedural or device study rather than a drug trial, what does that mean for how much safety and effectiveness data already exists for both of these approaches in plantar fasciitis?
3The trial is measuring changes in heel pain using a numeric rating scale — if I joined, how long would I need to be followed up, and how many clinic visits or procedures would that realistically require from me?
4Before considering this trial, should I first try or exhaust more established first-line treatments like physical therapy, orthotics, or corticosteroid injections, or is my situation at a point where exploring these interventional options makes sense?
5If I were assigned to the dextrose injection group instead of the pulsed radiofrequency group, would that treatment still be a reasonable option for my specific case, or would one assignment be significantly less suitable for me than the other?
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 Heel Pain Intensity Assessed by Numeric Rating Scale
Timeframe: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment