Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Botulinum Toxin A Versus Steroids for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Sponsor: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
Summary
Plantar fasciitis is the classic and most common type of heel pain. Considering the costs for health care and the temporary disability not only for work, plantar fasciitis results in a substantial (and at least partially unnecessary) burden for the Swiss health care system and national economics. Nonoperative treatment is the mainstay of treating plantar fasciitis. However, so far no treatment has proven to be superior to others, and there is national and international lack of consensus of how to treat plantar fasciitis best. The investigators believe that the BTX-A injection in the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles is currently the most promising non-operative approach, because it is considered to treat the disease at its origin (temporary weakening of the tight triceps surae muscle) as opposed to simply alleviate the symptoms (e.g. plantar cortisone and other injections, ESWT). However, to date there is no evidence in the literature that compares the new, promising technique of BTX-A injection into the gastroc-soleus complex to a sham (saline) injection and to the gold standard steroid injection at the plantar fascia insertion site. With the intended study, this gap is going to be closed.
Official title: Botulinum Toxin A Versus Steroids for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: a Randomized Controlled Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
54
Start Date
2016-07
Completion Date
2026-12
Last Updated
2024-12-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Botulinum toxin A
Researchers discovered in the 1950s that injecting overactive muscles with minute quantities of botulinum toxin type-A would result in decreased muscle activity. Botulinum toxin type-A has this effect because it prevents the vesicle where the acetylcholine is stored from binding to the membrane where the neurotransmitter can be released. Botulinum toxin type-A thus blocks the release of acetylcholine by the neuron. This will effectively weaken the muscle for a period of three to four months. In addition to its cosmetic applications, Botox is currently used in the treatment of spasms and dystonias, by weakening involved muscles, for the 60-70 day effective period of the drug. The main conditions treated with botulinum toxin are: Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) (a neuromuscular disorder involving the head and neck), Blepharospasm (excessive blinking) etc..
cortisone
Saline
Locations (2)
Dep, of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inselspital, University of Berne
Bern, Switzerland
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kantonsspital Lucerne
Lucerne, Switzerland