On Wednesday we shared a story of how doctors are recommending that ultrasound imaging be used to diagnose partial and full rotator cuff tears in lieu of MRIs, and now we’ve learned of another study that shows ultrasound can help diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis.
Although the small study only involved 65 patients, researchers were encouraged by the findings.
“While the long-term outcome studies are in progress, the results we have seen to date are very promising,” said study lead author Dr. Rahul Razdan, an interventional radiologist at Advanced Medical Imaging.
Plantar Fasciitis Study
Plantar fasciitis causes pain due to inflammation in a band of tissue on the sole of the foot that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. About 85 percent of patients with plantar fasciitis will heal with standard non-surgical treatment options like rest, icing, heating, massage, physical therapy and custom foot supports. The other 15 percent have prolonged symptoms and need additional care to correct the problem.
“So when you’re looking at chronic cases of disabling morning pain lasting three or four months or more, then absolutely it is warranted to explore new treatment options because the treatments we currently have are just not that great for these kind of stubborn cases,” said Dr. Raymond Monto, an orthopedic surgeon at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
For the study, Dr. Razdan’s team used ultrasonic energy to cut and remove damaged, pain-generating tissue without affecting healthy foot tissue. All 65 patients treated through this technique had prolonged symptoms and did not recover though standard treatment options.
For the procedure, doctors guided a hollow needle tip into the injured tissue with the help of ultrasound guidance. Once in place, doctors used a combination of high frequency/low amplitude sound to break up pain-generating tissue in the injured region. Once separated, the tissue was then removed from the foot. Doctors said the treatment was quick and easy, typically taking 90 seconds to complete.
Patients followed up with their physician two weeks after treatment, and most of them showed significant progress. On average, patients showed more than a 90 percent improvement in their foot ailment compared to their pre-treatment condition. The improvements continued six months after the minimally-invasive operation, and no notable complications arose.
“It’s premature at six months to know if these kinds of early results can be sustained for longer periods of time,” said Monto, who was not involved in the new research. “Still, it’s a fascinating approach and certainly worth looking at further.”
Dr. Silverman comments
This study is great, as it’s always helpful to come up with new treatment techniques, but using ultrasound during the treatment of plantar fasciitis isn’t exactly a new science. In fact, I use ultrasound all the time when dealing with plantar fasciitis.
I use ultrasonic imaging to confirm the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in patients who complain of common symptoms, and I use it to guide cortisone injections around the plantar fascia. Ultrasound imaging is very helpful during cortisone injections as it ensures the injection is in the perfect spot. Not to mention the procedure is relatively inexpensive, which is music to the ears of patients who have not been able to heal through standard treatment options like rest or physical therapy.
Related source: Philly.com
