Plantar FasciitisNCT07826234
Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection or Both Together as a Treatment Modality of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis
A study testing Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in people with Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain, run by Assiut University.
Trial summary
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing chronic heel pain due to degenerative changes in the tissue supporting the arch of the foot. While most patients improve with conservative care such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and orthotics, approximately 10% to 20% experience chronic pain that… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Nerve Compression Syndromes
- What is being tested?
- Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 75 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Oct 2026to Nov 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18 to 65 years.
- Clinical diagnosis of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis with symptoms persisting for more than 6 months despite conservative treatment.
- Failure of conventional non-surgical therapy (including activity modification, NSAIDs, stretching exercises, physiotherapy, and foot orthoses) for at least 3 months.
- Morning heel pain localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle.
- Local tenderness upon palpation over the medial calcaneal tubercle.
- Plantar fascia thickness greater than 4 mm confirmed by musculoskeletal ultrasound.
- Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Previous surgical intervention for plantar fasciitis
- Previous radiofrequency ablation or neuromodulation around the foot or ankle
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection within the previous 6 months
- Local corticosteroid injection within the previous 3 months
- Evidence of calcaneal stress fracture
- Coexisting tarsal tunnel syndrome or history of Baxter's nerve surgery
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- Systemic inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis)
- Pregnancy
- Active local (foot/ankle) or systemic infection
- Coagulopathy, bleeding disorders, or ongoing anticoagulant therapy that cannot be safely interruptedMalignancy or severe psychiatric illness
- Malignancy or severe psychiatric illness
- Inability or refusal to provide informed consent
About this study
Official title: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection or Both Together as a Treatment Modality of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Randomized Controlled Trial
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing chronic heel pain due to degenerative changes in the tissue supporting the arch of the foot. While most patients improve with conservative care such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and orthotics, approximately 10% to 20% experience chronic pain that fails to respond to standard measures. In up to 20% of these persistent cases, irritation or entrapment of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve) also plays a key role in the pain.
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of three ultrasound-guided interventional approaches for treating chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis:
Read more
- Baxter's nerve pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), a neuromodulation procedure designed to reduce nerve-related pain without destroying nerve fibers.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, an autologous blood-derived preparation that delivers natural growth factors to stimulate tissue healing and repair of the plantar fascia.
- Combined PRF and PRP therapy, addressing both nerve irritation and structural tissue degeneration simultaneously.
A total of 75 adult patients aged 18 to 65 years with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis persisting for over 6 months will be randomly assigned into three equal groups (25 patients per group). Participants and independent clinical assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation. Patients will be followed for 6 months to evaluate pain reduction, functional recovery, plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasound, and procedure safety.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Nerve Compression Syndromes
- Being tested
- Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency, Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection
- Keywords
- Pulsed Radiofrequency, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Baxter's Nerve, First Branch of Lateral Plantar Nerve, Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis, Ultrasound Guidance, Neuromodulation
- Medical subject headings
- Fasciitis, Plantar, Nerve Compression Syndromes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Baxter's Nerve Pulsed RadiofrequencyProcedure or surgery
Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting Baxter's nerve (the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve) performed under sterile aseptic precautions. Parameters applied: target temperature of 42°C, pulse width of 20 ms, frequency of 2 Hz, for a total duration of 8 minutes.
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma InjectionProcedure or surgery
Ultrasound-guided administration of 5 mL autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) directly into the hypoechoic, thickened portion of the diseased plantar fascia. PRP is isolated using a standardized double-spin centrifugation protocol and injected under complete aseptic conditions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency | Experimental | Participants receive ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting Baxter's nerve (the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve). The procedure is performed under complete aseptic technique at 42°C, with a pulse width of 20 ms, a frequency of 2 Hz, for a duration of 8 minutes. Receives: Procedure: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency |
| Group B: Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection | Active comparator | Participants receive an ultrasound-guided injection of 5 mL autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the diseased plantar fascia. PRP is prepared via a standardized double-spin centrifugation technique and administered under complete aseptic precautions. Receives: Procedure: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection |
| Group C: Combined PRF and PRP Therapy | Experimental | Participants receive combined treatment consisting of ultrasound-guided Baxter's nerve pulsed radiofrequency (42°C, 20 ms pulse width, 2 Hz for 8 minutes) followed by ultrasound-guided autologous platelet-rich plasma injection (5 mL) into the diseased plantar fascia under complete aseptic technique. Receives: Procedure: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency; Procedure: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from Baseline in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain Score
Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where patients rate their heel pain on a 0 to 10 scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate less pain and better clinical improvement. The score change will be calculated as the post-treatment score minus the baseline score.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Sep 2026
- Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Plantar FasciitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assiut UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Noreen Ahmed Hamza Mohammed, Assiut University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07826234
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PRF & PRP in Plantar Fasciitis
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection or Both Together as a Treatment Modality of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07826234
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PRF & PRP in Plantar Fasciitis
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Nerve Compression Syndromes
- Keywords
- Pulsed Radiofrequency, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Baxter's Nerve, First Branch of Lateral Plantar Nerve, Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis, Ultrasound Guidance, Neuromodulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing chronic heel pain due to degenerative changes in the tissue supporting the arch of the foot. While most patients improve with conservative care such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and orthotics, approximately 10% to 20% experience chronic pain that fails to respond to standard measures. In up to 20% of these persistent cases, irritation or entrapment of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve) also plays a key role in the pain.
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of three ultrasound-guided interventional approaches for treating chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis:
- Baxter's nerve pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), a neuromodulation procedure designed to reduce nerve-related pain without destroying nerve fibers.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, an autologous blood-derived preparation that delivers natural growth factors to stimulate tissue healing and repair of the plantar fascia.
- Combined PRF and PRP therapy, addressing both nerve irritation and structural tissue degeneration simultaneously.
A total of 75 adult patients aged 18 to 65 years with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis persisting for over 6 months will be randomly assigned into three equal groups (25 patients per group). Participants and independent clinical assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation. Patients will be followed for 6 months to evaluate pain reduction, functional recovery, plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasound, and procedure safety.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency | Experimental | Procedure: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed RadiofrequencyParticipants receive ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting Baxter's nerve (the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve). The procedure is performed under complete aseptic technique at 42°C, with a pulse width of 20 ms, a frequency of 2 Hz, for a duration of 8 minutes. |
| Group B: Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection | Active comparator | Procedure: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma InjectionParticipants receive an ultrasound-guided injection of 5 mL autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the diseased plantar fascia. PRP is prepared via a standardized double-spin centrifugation technique and administered under complete aseptic precautions. |
| Group C: Combined PRF and PRP Therapy | Experimental | Procedure: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency, Procedure: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma InjectionParticipants receive combined treatment consisting of ultrasound-guided Baxter's nerve pulsed radiofrequency (42°C, 20 ms pulse width, 2 Hz for 8 minutes) followed by ultrasound-guided autologous platelet-rich plasma injection (5 mL) into the diseased plantar fascia under complete aseptic technique. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Age 18 to 65 years.
- Clinical diagnosis of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis with symptoms persisting for more than 6 months despite conservative treatment.
- Failure of conventional non-surgical therapy (including activity modification, NSAIDs, stretching exercises, physiotherapy, and foot orthoses) for at least 3 months.
- Morning heel pain localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle.
- Local tenderness upon palpation over the medial calcaneal tubercle.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Previous surgical intervention for plantar fasciitis
- Previous radiofrequency ablation or neuromodulation around the foot or ankle
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection within the previous 6 months
- Local corticosteroid injection within the previous 3 months
- Evidence of calcaneal stress fracture
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Baxter's Nerve Pulsed RadiofrequencyUltrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting Baxter's nerve (the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve) performed under sterile aseptic precautions. Parameters applied: target temperature of 42°C, pulse width of 20 ms, frequency of 2 Hz, for a total duration of 8 minutes. | Procedure or surgery | Group A: Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency, Group C: Combined PRF and PRP Therapy |
| Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma InjectionUltrasound-guided administration of 5 mL autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) directly into the hypoechoic, thickened portion of the diseased plantar fascia. PRP is isolated using a standardized double-spin centrifugation protocol and injected under complete aseptic conditions. | Procedure or surgery | Group B: Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection, Group C: Combined PRF and PRP Therapy |
Primary outcome
Change from Baseline in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain Score
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where patients rate their heel pain on a 0 to 10 scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate less pain and better clinical improvement. The score change will be calculated as the post-treatment score minus the baseline score.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Sep 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Baxter's Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in people with Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain, run by Assiut University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from Baseline in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain Score (time frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Sep 2026.