Ultrasound-Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Added to Perineural Steroid Injection Versus Perineural Steroid Injection Alone in the Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Ultrasound-Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Added to Perineural Steroid Injection Versus Perineural Steroid Injection Alone in the Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is an entrapment neuropathy caused by compression of the posterior tibial nerve at the ankle, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the heel and sole of the foot. Perineural steroid injections under ultrasound guidance are commonly used for conservative management to decrease inflammation and relieve pressure. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive neuromodulatory technique that delivers electrical pulses to alter pain transmission and promote tissue healing without damaging the nerve structure.
The objective of this prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial is to determine whether combining ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency with perineural steroid injection provides superior pain relief, improved foot function, and higher patient satisfaction compared to perineural steroid injection alone in patients with mild-to-moderate tarsal tunnel syndrome.
A total of 50 adult participants will be randomly allocated to one of two study groups:
- Group A (Active PRF + Steroid Injection): Participants receive ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency applied adjacent to the posterior tibial nerve for 8 minutes (480 seconds), followed immediately by a perineural injection of 10 mL solution containing triamcinolone acetonide, dextrose 5%, and lidocaine 1%.
- Group B (Sham PRF + Steroid Injection): Participants undergo identical ultrasound-guided needle positioning and sensory/motor stimulation testing, followed by 8 minutes of sham radiofrequency (generator switched off), and then receive the identical 10 mL perineural steroid injection.
Participants will be evaluated prior to the procedure and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention to assess pain severity (Visual Analogue Scale), foot function and disability (Foot Function Index), global impression of recovery, and any procedure-related side effects or complications.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients aged 18 to 65 years old.
- Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS).
- Abnormal electrophysiological study confirming mild-to-moderate TTS.
- Pain or paresthesia in the posterior tibial nerve distribution persisting for more than 6 months and refractory to conservative therapy (e.g., vitamin B complex, NSAIDs, oral steroids, or night splints).
- Positive Tinel's sign and/or positive triple compression test.
- Patient is willing and able to provide written informed consent and attend all scheduled follow-up visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Severe TTS (defined by abductor hallucis muscle atrophy, distal motor latency > 6.5 ms, or absent potentials on electrophysiological testing).
- Prior ankle or tarsal tunnel injection within the preceding 3 months.
- Secondary tarsal tunnel syndrome due to systemic diseases (e.g., endocrine disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or psoriatic arthritis).
- Concurrent use of systemic corticosteroids or antihistamines.
- Presence of coagulopathy.
- Local infection at the planned injection site.
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study medications (triamcinolone acetonide, lidocaine, or dextrose).
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Patient refusal to participate.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: Double
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: Group A: Pulsed Radiofrequency Plus Steroid Injection
Participants undergo ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) adjacent to the posterior tibial nerve using a 22-gauge cannula with a 5 mm active tip (parameters: pulse width 20 ms, frequency 2 Hz, output 45 V, maximum tip temperature 42°C, delivered for 480 seconds in two consecutive 240-second cycles). Following PRF, a 10 mL perineural injectate (8 mL dextrose 5%, 1 mL triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg, and 1 mL lidocaine 1%) is administered around the nerve (approximately 5 mL superficial and 5 mL deep). |
Under real-time ultrasound guidance, a 22-gauge, 54-mm radiofrequency cannula with a 5-mm active tip is placed adjacent to the posterior tibial nerve. Sensory (50 Hz, ≤0.5 V) and motor (2 Hz, >0.5 V) stimulation are confirmed, followed by active pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) delivery (parameters: 42°C maximum tip temperature, 45 V, 2 Hz, 20 ms pulse width, for 480 seconds delivered as two consecutive 240-second cycles). Immediately following PRF, a 10 mL solution (8 mL dextrose 5%, 1 mL triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg, and 1 mL lidocaine 1%) is injected through the same cannula around the nerve (5 mL superficial and 5 mL deep). |
|
Sham Comparator: Group B: Sham Radiofrequency Plus Steroid Injection
Participants undergo the identical ultrasound-guided cannula placement and sensory/motor nerve stimulation protocol, after which the cannula is left in position for 480 seconds with the radiofrequency generator switched off (sham PRF). Following the sham phase, the identical 10 mL perineural injectate (8 mL dextrose 5%, 1 mL triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg, and 1 mL lidocaine 1%) is administered around the posterior tibial nerve. |
Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the cannula is positioned adjacent to the posterior tibial nerve using the identical technique, followed by identical sensory and motor stimulation testing. The cannula is maintained in place for 480 seconds with the radiofrequency generator switched off (sham PRF). Immediately following the sham phase, the identical 10 mL solution (8 mL dextrose 5%, 1 mL triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg, and 1 mL lidocaine 1%) is injected around the nerve (5 mL superficial and 5 mL deep). |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Change from Baseline in Pain Severity on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 6 Months
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
|
Pain intensity is assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst pain imaginable" (higher scores indicate worse pain). The change in foot and heel pain and paresthesia from baseline to 6 months post-intervention will be evaluated. |
Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- PRF for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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