A Breakthrough for Chronic Foot and Ankle Pain: New Nerve Treatment Options

Radiofrequency technology has evolved to treat a range of chronic pain conditions, including those that affect the feet and ankles. This novel step in technology is helping patients achieve effective pain management and improve quality of life.

More than 60 million people in the United States live with chronic pain, and for many of them, the pain affects their feet and ankles. This can disrupt your mobility and have a major impact on your quality of life.

Fortunately, advances in pain technology provide innovative ways to address chronic foot and ankle pain. For example, new nerve treatment options like the IonicRF™ Generator — a nonsurgical, minimally invasive treatment — allow for tailored treatment based on the specifics of your case.

At Alpine Foot and Ankle Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Alpine, Wyoming, Andrew McCall, DPM, FACFAS, offers this advanced option for select patients struggling with chronic nerve-related pain. Here’s what you need to know.

When chronic pain doesn’t respond to traditional care

Patients visit our clinic with chronic foot and ankle pain related to a range of issues, such as:

Arthritis
Nerve entrapment
Chronic plantar fasciitis
Postsurgical pain
Longstanding tendon and joint issues

In these cases, inflammation may no longer be the primary driver. Instead, the nervous system itself becomes part of the problem.

Nerves can become hypersensitive, continuing to fire pain signals even with minimal stimulation. This is why some patients experience burning, aching, or sharp pain that persists despite conservative treatments.

What is the Abbott IonicRF Generator?

The IonicRF Generator is an advanced radiofrequency (RF) device that targets nerves responsible for transmitting pain. Rather than cutting or removing tissue, this technology uses controlled radiofrequency energy to disrupt pain signals at their source.

The IonicRF system is different from older RF systems because it delivers energy in a highly controlled, tissue-specific way. This allows Dr. McCall to precisely target the sensory nerve safely while preserving surrounding structures.

The technique uses ultrasound guidance to identify the correct nerve responsible for sending the pain signals before delivering a current that disrupts the nerve.

Science-backed minimally invasive pain management

Research supports the use of radiofrequency technology to manage chronic pain. According to an article published in the journal Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine in 2025, RF treatment is well-tolerated and can significantly improve pain, function, and quality of life in carefully selected patients.

In a systematic review of published studies, researchers concluded that RF treatment can safely and effectively manage chronic foot and ankle pain. While research is ongoing, data support the benefits of using RF to manage chronic pain in specific candidates.

How treatment with the IonicRF system works

During the procedure, Dr. McCall guides a specialized probe to the targeted nerve. Once positioned, the IonicRF Generator delivers radiofrequency energy that weakens the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals.

For the right candidate, IonicRF treatment offers several advantages:

Minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis
No surgical incisions or hardware
Short recovery time compared to traditional surgery
Can provide long-lasting pain relief for chronic conditions
May reduce reliance on pain medications

Because the treatment targets the nerve itself, this treatment is helpful for patients whose pain hasn’t responded to physical therapy, injections, or orthotics.

Is IonicRF right for you?

The Abbott IonicRF Generator is breakthrough medicine, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. McCall carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether your pain pattern, diagnosis, and medical history make you a good candidate. This includes a thorough exam, imaging when needed, and discussion of prior treatments.

With more than 20 years of experience in foot and ankle care, including sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. McCall is uniquely qualified to determine when advanced nerve treatments are appropriate.

Innovative technologies like the Abbott IonicRF Generator offer new hope for patients who have exhausted traditional options.

If ongoing foot or ankle pain is holding you back, reach out to the team at Alpine Foot and Ankle Center. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. McCall and learn whether this breakthrough nerve treatment could be the solution for getting relief from chronic foot and ankle pain.