Comparison of ultrasound-, palpation-, and scintigraphy-guided steroid injections in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacies of steroid injections guided by scintigraphy, ultrasonography, and palpation in plantar fasciitis.

METHODS: A total of 35 heels of 27 patients were randomly assigned to three steroid injection groups: palpation-guided (pg), ultrasound-guided (ug), and scintigraphy-guided (sg). Patients were evaluated for pain intensity before the injections and at the last follow-up of 25.3 months with a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS).

RESULTS: There were significant improvements in plantar fascia thickness, fat pad thickness, and VAS. Among the three groups of ug-pg, ug-sg, and pg-sg there were no statistically significant differences after treatment (P = 0.017, MWU = 36.5; P = 0.023, MWU = 29.5; and P = 0.006, MWU = 13, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: The ug, pg, and sg injections were effective in the conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis. We are of the opinion that steroid injections should be performed, preferably with palpation or ultrasonographic guidance.