Three prospective single-center studies with a total of 45 patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis were undertaken independently and addressed:
- Post-operative pain
- Patient satisfaction
- Patient function
Weil et al, 2008:
Minimally invasive TOPAZ microtenotomy achieves rapid pain relief in the majority of patients when used to surgically treat plantar fasciosis.1
Read the evidence to support:
- Pain improved significantly over baseline by post-surgery day 14
- AOFAS hindfoot and midfoot scores for function showed significant improvement (p<0.001) from baseline to one year after treatment
- All patients returned to normal activities within four to six weeks
Sean, et al. 2010:
Patients non-responsive to earlier treatment for plantar fasciitis who received TOPAZ microtenotomy reported good to excellent satisfaction rates.2
Read the evidence to support:
- Patients reported quick reduction in pain and high satisfaction
- AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale for function showed significant improvement from baseline to six months (34.5 to 71.3; p=0.00)
- SF-36 scores had significant Improvements over baseline for components of physical function (p=0.01), bodily pain (p=0.01) and social function (p=0.04)
Sorensen et al. 2011.
Patients treated with TOPAZ microtenotomy experienced significant improvement in function and high levels of pain relief and satisfaction. 3
Read the evidence to support:
- Patients’ AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale for function showed significant improvement from baseline to final follow up
- The majority of patients (80.9%) achieved satisfactory pain control within four months
- Eighteen patients (86%) rated their outcome as excellent or good
Four prospective studies involving 166 patients in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) with TOPAZ Microdebrider address:
- Short-term patient pain and function
- Long –term patient outcomes
- Speed of procedure
Meknas et al. 2008:
Patients experienced faster pain relief and increased grip strength than those undergoing tendon release. 4
Read the evidence to support:
- 40% reduction in the median length of operation
- Significant reductions in pain scores at three weeks compared to release group (p<0.05) 4
- Significant improvements in grip strength at 12 weeks compared to release group (p<0.001) 4
Seitz & Lall, 2012.
Patients experienced better pain and function scores in treatment of lateral epicondylitis. 5 Compared to arthroscopic synovectomy.
Read the evidence to support:
- TOPAZ treated patients experienced a persistent average drop of 7.7 points in visual analogue scale for pain at six months
- Mayo Elbow Performance Score results improved from an average of 55 preoperatively to 95 postoperatively
- Patient satisfaction rated at 9.075 (scale 0-10) at six months
Tasto et al. 2016.
TOPAZ Microdebrider had a 91% success rate up to nine years after surgery in the treatment of elbow epicondylitis. 6
Read the evidence to support:
- Visual Analogue Scale pain score improved by 81% in lateral epicondylitis and 79% in medical epicondylitis
- 91% success in both lateral and medial epicondylitis
Lee et al. 2018
TOPAZ microdebrider significantly reduces operative time and facilitates more consistent results between surgeons.7
- 62.3% reduction in the mean length of procedure compared to extensor tendon release
- Functional outcomes significantly improved at 24 months compared to pre-operative
References
1.Weil L Jr, Glover JP, Weil LS Sr. A new minimally invasive technique for treating plantar fasciosis using bipolar radiofrequency: a prospective analysis. Foot Ankle Spec. 2008;1:13-18.
2. Sean NYC, Singh I, Wai CK. Radiofrequency microtenotomy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis shows good early results. Foot Ankle Surg. 2010;16:174-177.
3. Sorensen MD, Hyer CF, Philbin TM. Percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency microdebridement for recalcitrant proximal plantar fasciosis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011;50:165-170.
4. Meknas K, Odden-Miland A, Mercer JB, Castillejo M, Johansen O. Radiofrequency microtenotomy: a promising method for treatment of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36:1960-1965.
5. Seitz WH Jr, Lall A. Treatment of chronic tennis elbow with radiofrequency coblation and localized arthroscopic synovectomy. Curr Orthop Pract. 2012;23:621-624.
6. Tasto JP, Richmond JM, Cummings JR, Hardesty R, Amiel D. Radiofrequency Microtenotomy for Elbow Epicondylitis: Midterm Results. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2016;45:29-33.
7. Lee JH, Park I, Hyun HS, Shin SJ. A Comparison of Radiofrequency-Based Microtenotomy and Arthroscopic Release of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Tendon in Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study. Arthroscopy. 2018;34:1439-1446.