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Neurotoxin

Botulinum Toxin vs. Corticosteroid for Plantar Fasciitis

Phase 2 & 3
Waitlist Available
Led By Mikol Anderson, DPM
Research Sponsored by Western Institute for Veterans Research
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Active infection or fever
Previous surgery on the plantar fascia
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline to 1 (primary endpoint), 3, and 6 months
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing Botox injections to treat patients with plantar fasciitis who haven't improved with other treatments. Botox may help by relaxing muscles and reducing swelling, which can relieve pain and improve movement. The study aims to see if Botox works better than standard steroid injections. Botox injections have shown significant pain relief and functional improvement in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for people with plantar fasciitis pain who haven't gotten better after 6 weeks of standard treatments. They shouldn't have had recent cortisone shots or surgery in the area, be pregnant, have a workers' comp claim for foot issues, any infection or fever, allergies to Botox or steroids, or used botulinum toxin recently.
What is being tested?
The study tests if Botulinum Toxin A injections are more effective than the usual steroid shots for long-lasting heel pain (plantar fasciitis) when other treatments fail. Patients will receive ultrasound-guided injections into their foot muscles and are randomly chosen to get either treatment.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects from Botulinum Toxin A include muscle weakness around the injection site, pain at injection site, and flu-like symptoms. Dexamethasone might cause swelling at the spot of injection, skin color changes, increased blood sugar levels and potential weakening of nearby bones.

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I currently have an infection or fever.
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I have had surgery on the bottom of my foot.
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I have had botulinum toxin injections in the bottom of my foot.
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I have not had a cortisone injection in my foot in the last 3 months.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline to 1 (primary endpoint), 3, and 6 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline to 1 (primary endpoint), 3, and 6 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in general pain levels
Secondary study objectives
Change in foot and ankle-induced difficulties with activities of daily living
Number of subjects dropping out for repeat injection or surgical intervention

Side effects data

From 2010 Phase 3 trial • 121 Patients • NCT00986570
32%
Injection-site bleeding
21%
Headache
7%
Injection-site pain
5%
Deformity
3%
Injection-site pruritus
2%
Nausea
2%
Eyelid edema
2%
Worsening of baseline wrinkles
1%
Plantar fasciitis
1%
Sore throat
1%
Constipation
1%
Cough
1%
Acute gastroenteritis
1%
Site-injection edema
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Xeomin®

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
20 units of Onabotulinum A in 200 µL of saline
Group II: CorticosteroidActive Control1 Intervention
1 mL of 4 mg/mL dexamethasone with 2 mL of 1% lidocaine OR 1 mL of 4 mg/mL dexamethasone, 1 mL of 2% lidocaine and 1 mL saline
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Botulinum Toxin A
2010
Completed Phase 4
~1650

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
The most common treatments for Plantar Fibroma include OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) injections, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. BTX-A works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, leading to muscle relaxation, which can reduce tension and pain in the affected area. Corticosteroid injections help by reducing inflammation and pain, providing symptomatic relief. Physical therapy focuses on stretching and strengthening the affected area to improve mobility and reduce discomfort. These treatments are important for Plantar Fibroma patients as they aim to alleviate pain, improve function, and enhance overall quality of life.
Train-of-four as an index of neuromuscular block in cats: changes induced by atropine.Neuromuscular function in fluostigmine intoxication.Facial blanching due to neurotoxins: proposed mechanisms.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Western Institute for Veterans ResearchLead Sponsor
1 Previous Clinical Trials
120 Total Patients Enrolled
Mikol Anderson, DPMPrincipal InvestigatorVA Salt Lake City Health Care System

Media Library

Botulinum Toxin A (Neurotoxin) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05367271 — Phase 2 & 3
Plantar Fibroma Research Study Groups: Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A), Corticosteroid
Plantar Fibroma Clinical Trial 2023: Botulinum Toxin A Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05367271 — Phase 2 & 3
Botulinum Toxin A (Neurotoxin) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05367271 — Phase 2 & 3
~20 spots leftby Nov 2025