Miniscalpel-Needle versus Steroid Injection for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with a 12-Month Follow-Up

Shuming Li, Tong Shen, Yongshan Liang, Ying Zhang, Bo Bai, Shuming Li, Tong Shen, Yongshan Liang, Ying Zhang, Bo Bai

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. A novel alternative medical instrument, the miniscalpel-needle (MSN), which is based on an acupuncture needle, has been recently developed in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the MSN release treatment versus that of traditional steroid injection for plantar fasciitis. Patients with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to 2 groups and followed up for 12 months, with 29 receiving MSN treatment and 25 receiving steroid injection treatment. The results showed that visual analog scale scores for morning pain, active pain, and overall heel pain all were decreased significantly in the MSN group from 1 to 12 months after treatment. In contrast, treatment with steroid injection showed a significant effect only at the 1-month follow-up but not at 6 or 12 months after treatment. Moreover, the MSN group achieved more rapid and sustained improvements than the steroid group throughout the duration of this study. No severe side effects were observed with MSN treatment. Our data suggest that the MSN release treatment is safe and has a significant benefit for plantar fasciitis compared to steroid injection.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photograph of the miniscalpel-needle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The MSN release treatment. (a) The use of a surface landmark at the most painful tender point for MSN release; (b) MSN release for plantar fasciitis; and (c) the initial wound post-MSN release.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The effectiveness of MSN release treatment versus steroid injection for treating plantar fasciitis. (a) VAS scores for morning pain of MSN group decreased significantly compared to those of steroid injection group at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. (b) VAS scores for active pain of MSN group decreased significantly compared to those of steroid injection group at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. (c) VAS scores for overall pain of MSN group decreased significantly compared to those of steroid injection group at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. VAS: visual analog scale; MSN: miniscalpel-needle. *P < 0.05.

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