PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
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Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases, and nearly 90% of patients can be successfully treated by nonsurgical options. However, it is yet to be determined which nonsurgical treatment has the best efficacy. The present study investigated differences between autologous blood-derived products and corticosteroid injections in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. TYPE: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis of autologous blood-derived products versus corticosteroids for plantar fasciitis is the first that includes only randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between autologous blood-derived products and corticosteroids, as measured by Visual Analog Scale or AOFAS. These findings applied whether followed up in short, intermediate, or long term. These results differ from previous studies that showed superior efficacy of autologous blood-derived products compared with corticosteroids in the long term.
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an option for those with chronic or refractory sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. The purpose of this critical review is to assess the existing literature and conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of RFA of the SI joint for pain relief at 3 and 6 months' after an RFA procedure. An electronic search of PubMed, OVID, Medline, and CINAHL were conducted with keywords; sacroiliac joint, sacroiliac pain, sacroiliac syndrome, sacroiliac radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac neurolysis, sacroiliac injection, and low back pain. ⋯ The meta-analysis demonstrated that RFA is an effective treatment for SI joint pain at 3 months and 6 months. This study is limited by the available literature and lack of randomized controlled trials. Further standardization of RFA lesion techniques needs to be established, coupled with prospective randomized controlled trials.