Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Relieved Via New Interventional Radiology Treatment

New findings presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting discussed a new weapon for those dealing with chronic plantar fascilitis.

By using ultrasound imaging and detailed ultrasonic energy to remove disease tissue from the health issue, the new tool helps healthy tissue regrow in its place and more quickly restore to normal function than other current treatments.

"Plantar fasciitis is so ubiquitous and such a difficult condition to live with, and yet patients have been limited in their treatment options," said Rahul Razdan, M.D., one of the study's researchers and an interventional radiologist at Advanced Medical Imaging in Lincoln, Neb. "While standard treatments, such as pain medication and physical therapy, can offer some relief, there have been no permanent answers. Consequently, safe and effective definitive treatments are highly desirable."

For the study, 100 patients were treated starting back in August 2013 and presented with chronic, refractory plantar fasciopathy. All patients reported how foot pain affected their ability to manage everyday life via the Food and Ankle Disability Index (FADI). The scores were then collected from the patients at two weeks, six weeks and six months post treatment.

Over 90 percent of the patients reported improvement in symptoms two weeks after treatment, which remained at six months. Patients also reported being highly satisfied with the treatment and had no treatment-related complications, according to researchers.

"It is important for patients suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis to know that they have treatment options," concluded Razdan. "We have patients who are in so much pain they can't even play with their kids or take their dog for a walk. This ultrasonic treatment can give patients their lives back and let them enjoy their lives. We are excited to see significant results from this treatment."