Role of Platelet Rich Plasma in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Study.

introductionAutologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) local injection has been recently proposed as a treatment of plantar fasciitis. The autologous PRP does not have much side effects compared to steroid injections. So far PRP injections have shown promising results in various studies. This study assessed the efficacy of a single local injection of PRP in chronic unilateral plantar fasciitis through a prospective case series. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based prospective case series of 30 unilateral plantar fasciitis patients with symptom duration of 6 months or more were included in the study. All patients included in the study were assessed clinically and by visual analogue score for heel pain, AHS component of AOFAS and FADI scores before injection and at 6 and 12 week follow-up. USG measurement of plantar fascia thickness was done at pre-injection and at 12 weeks follow-up. All patients were observed for 12 weeks.

resultsThe mean age was 39 years (range 20-55 years). The pre-injection VAS score for heel pain was 6.5 ± 1.1 which improved to 2.7 ± 0.5 and 1.8 ± 0.8 at 6 and 12 week respectively and difference was significant (

conclusionThe short-term results of single dose PRP injections shows clinical and statistically significant improvements in VAS for heel pain, functional outcome scores and plantar fascia thickness measured by USG. This study concludes that local PRP injection is a viable management option for chronic plantar fasciitis.