Wei M, Liu Y, Li Z, Wang Z, Zhang Q.
Radio frequency overmatches extracorporeal shock wave treatment for patients with intractable plantar fasciitis under local anesthesia.
Biomedica Jan ;31(1):7-10.

Purpose: A retrospective study comparing plasma radio frequency TOPAZ with electrocorporeal shock wave (ESW) in the treatment of intractable proximal plantar fasciitis's, under local anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: From March 2006 to February 2010, our department received and treated 68 patients with intractable proximal plantar fasciitis, who had been treated with conservative therapy. We respectively used TOPAZ and ESW therapy to treat them. We did research about patients' “preoperative intention-to-treat”, and we introduced the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle metapodium grades to estimate the effectiveness of therapy for a period of 12 months, including preoperative and postoperative time. Results: The survey showed that 68 (100%) patients received ESW treatment, of which 16 patients (23.5%) received TOPAZ under local anesthesia, 10 (14.7%) patients received TOPAZ after invalid ESW remedy, under local anesthesia and we continued to follow-up 54 patients. At 1 year post-surgery, VAS grade reduced to 1.9 ± 1.2 from 5.4 ± 1.1 preoperative, in ESW group, AOFAS ankle hind foot grade increased significantly to 80.7 ± 11.2 1 year postoperatively compared to 50.3 ± 13.5 pre-operative score (p < 0.05). TOPAZ group’s preoperative VAS score decreased from 5.5 ± 1.3 to 1.1 ± 1.2 1 year post-surgery, AOFAS ankle hind foot score improved significantly from preoperative 50.1 ± 9.0 to 88.6 ± 18.8 1 year post-operation (p < 0.05). Compared to the ESW treatment group, scores following treatment were significantly better in the TOPAZ group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Both TOPAZ and ESW can cure intractable Proximal Plantar fasciitis, with the TOPAZ treatment having significantly better effect.

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