Effect of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in the treatment of chronic plantar fascitis.Methods: The study group comprised of 150 patients. In the corticosteroid group. PRP was obtained from the patients’ own blood and injected in a single dose. Peppering technique was used for injecting the doses in the patients. Results were calculated using pre-injection and post-injection Visual Analog Scale (VAS), America Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months.Results: All patients enrolled in the study completed a 6 month follow-up. There were no complaints of any side-effects to the administered corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma. No infection or any other complications were reported at the end of 3 months. The outcome between the 2 groups was comparable in terms of VAS, AOFAS and FADI scores.Conclusion: PRP therapy proves to be effective in relieving pain in a long term for treatment of plantar fascitis.