OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of small needle scalpel under ultraosonography guidance in plantar fasciitis.

METHODSFrom March 2011 to May 2015, 234 patients with plantar fasciitis were divided into ultrasound-guided group and traditional knife group. There were 117 patients in ultrasound guided group, including 54 males and 63 females, aged from 42 to 8 years old with an average of(54.36±15.04) years; the courses of disease was(15.72±9.55) months on average; treated with small needle scalpel under ultraosonography guidance. While there were 117 patients in traditional small needle scalpel group, including 52 males and 65 females, aged from 43 to 80 years old with an average of (53.6±18.14) years; the average course of disease was(16.98 ±8.99) months;treated only with needle knife. VAS score, tenderness score and AOFAS-AH score before treatment, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment were observed and compared between two groups.

RESULTSVAS score, tenderness score in ultrasound guided group were lower than traditional needle knife group, and had significant difference between two groups at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment;while ultrasound guided group was better than traditional needle knife group in alleviating pain. AOFAS-AH score in ultrasound guided group was higher than traditional needle knife group, and had significant difference between two groups at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment. The function of foot at different time points in ultrasound guided group was better than traditional needle knife group. Wound healing between two groups were better and no complications were occurred.

CONCLUSIONSNeedle knife under ultraosonography guidance is a reliable method for the treatment of plantar fasciitis, and has advantages of rapid onset, excellent efficacy, good functional recovery.