Prospective Randomized Trial of Electrolysis for Chronic Plantar Heel Pain

Fernández-Rodríguez, Tomás; Fernández-Rolle, Álvaro; Truyols-Domínguez, Sebastián; Benítez-Martínez, Josep C; Casaña-Granell, José

doi:10.1177/1071100718773998

Cited by 17 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(74 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…One of the most innovative techniques today for the treatment of tendinopathies is percutaneous electrolysis due to its powerful effect in reducing pain and increasing functionality, especially in load tendons in the lower limb [15]. There is only a modest scientific evidence demonstrating the effects of electrolysis in reducing pain and increasing function in both lower and upper extremity tendon structures, which is drawing the attention of physicians and physical therapists in both clinical and scientific arenas [16][17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports

Fernández,

Carballar,

Villafañe

et al. 2021

Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: To present preliminary clinical results of the effects of a new treatment with percutaneous electrolysis directed to peripheral tendon and therapeutic resistance exercise, with or without the presence of degenerative zone. Methods: 3 patients with patellar tendinopathy aged 37–45 years with diagnostic of patellar tendinopathy with pain since 5–8 weeks were treated with a novel, less invasive electrolysis technique. Pain severity was measured by Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Lower limb functionality was measured by a Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire (VISA-P). A clinical interview and ultrasonography assesment were performed before study protocol were carried out. Each participants received 4 to 7 sessions of percutaneous electrolysis (350 μA, 80 s) leaving at least one week between sessions during a total of 8 weeks. During this time, subjects also were undergone a therapeutic exercise protocol of lower limbs resistance training. Results: Pain severity decreased after 3 weeks treatment (p = 0.01) and was practically abolished after 4–7 sessions at 8 weeks (p = 0.2). The lower limb functionality (VISA-P) increased after 3 weeks treatment and the major difference was found at 8 weeks post-intervention (p = 0.001). Thickness of the patellar tendon decreased after 8 weeks treatment (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The present work provides the first evidence that percutaneous electrolysis with a least invasive physiotherapy treatment targeted to peripheral tendon in combination with therapeutic resistance exercise diminished pain, improved funcitonality and showed a tendency to decreased thickness in subjects with patelallar tendinopathy.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports

Fernández,

Carballar,

Villafañe

et al. 2021

Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…PHP was caused by varieties of physiological factors [7][8][9]; the most common pathological factor in the population was PF [10,11]. Research studies on the PF and treatments of PF had a long tradition [2,13,15,30]. Histological studies had found that PF had a fascia fragmentation and degeneration [9], which may be caused by PCS at the plantar bottom [19,20].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plantar heel pain (PHP) is a common disease with a high incidence in different races [1][2][3]. It was expected to cost more than 200 million of dollars in PHP treatment [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Relationship between Calcaneal Spur Type and Plantar Fasciitis in Chinese Population

Zhang

Cheng

Xiong

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plantar heel pain is a common disease with a high incidence in different races. It significantly reduced the quality of life of patients. However, the cause of PHP is still controversial and there were varieties of physiological factors associated with PHP. The most common pathological factor in the population was plantar fasciitis. Some existing research studies had found a correlation between calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis, and this study had found the correlation in Chinese population. It is invaluable not only to understand the relationship between different types of plantar calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis but also to identify the most appropriate treatment strategies. A total of 71 patients with calcaneal spurs were chosen from the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University. All 71 patients had completed X-rays and MRI scans; then, surgeons had removed their plantar calcaneal spurs. After surgery, all patients were followed up for 12 months; their prognosis was tested by the VAS and AOFAS scores. Type II (29, 40.8%) had the highest incidence in Chinese population, followed with type I (24, 33.8%) and type III (18, 25.4%). Preoperative VAS scores showed that type II (7.72±1.10) was significantly higher than the other two types (P<0.001). Postoperative VAS scores of type II were higher than those of type I and type III (P<0.001). Postoperative AOFAS scores of type II were the lowest (P<0.001). Researchers had proved that type II was more likely to cause PF.

show abstract

“…The needle was ultrasound-guided inserted into the common tendon of the lateral epicondyle and left in situ for 90 s without galvanic current. This needling procedure has been previously used in a randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of percutaneous electrolysis in people with plantar heel pain [ 28 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Percutaneous Electrolysis on Endogenous Pain Modulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Percutaneous electrolysis consists of the application of a galvanic electrical current throughout an acupuncture needle. It has been previously hypothesized that needling procedures’ neurophysiological effects may be related to endogenous pain modulation (EPM). This protocol study describes the design of a double-blind (participant, assessor) randomized controlled trial with the aim to investigate whether percutaneous electrolysis is able to enhance EPM and whether the effect is different between two applications depending on the dosage of the galvanic electrical current. Seventy-two asymptomatic subjects not reporting the presence of pain symptoms the previous 6 months before the study, aged 18–40 years, are randomized into one of four groups: a control group who does not receive any intervention, a needling group who receives a needling intervention without electrical current, a low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis group (0.3 mA × 90 s), and a high-intensity percutaneous electrolysis group (three bouts of 3 mA × 3 s). Needling intervention consists of ultrasound-guided insertion of the needle on the common extensor tendon of the lateral epicondyle. The primary outcome is conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and secondary outcomes include widespread pressure pain sensitivity (pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over the lateral epicondyle, the cervical spine, and the tibialis anterior muscle) and temporal summation (TS). We expected that percutaneous electrolysis would have a greater influence on CPM than an isolated needling procedure and no intervention. In addition, we also postulated that there might be differences in outcome measures depending on the intensity of the electrical current during the percutaneous electrolysis application. This study makes a new contribution to the field of neurophysiological effects of percutaneous electrolysis and needling interventions.

show abstract

Prospective Randomized Trial of Electrolysis for Chronic Plantar Heel Pain

Abstract: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Cited by 17 publications

References 38 publications

A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports

A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports

The Relationship between Calcaneal Spur Type and Plantar Fasciitis in Chinese Population

Effects of Percutaneous Electrolysis on Endogenous Pain Modulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About