Functional and radiological outcome of autologous platelet rich plasma in chronic plantar fasciitis: A prospective study

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain. It results from sustained stress of weight bearing - hopping, jumping, running -which results in micro trauma to plantar fascia which further leads to plantar fasciitis. It constitutes 11% to 15% of all foot symptoms. Its prevalence is 8% to 10% in general population. It commonly affects at the age of 40 to 60 years. Recently platelet rich plasma was used in treating in degeneration, muscle and tendon injuries. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the treatment outcome of autologous platelet rich plasma injection in treatment of plantar fasciitis. In this prospective study, we enrolled 35 patients with plantar fasciitis coming to OPD or casualty. Patients satisfying inclusion criteria were selected based on consecutive sampling. 11 patients responded well to conservative management and 3 patients had loss of follow up. The different scoring systems were adopted such as VAS and AOFAS for pain assessment. The thickness of plantar fascia was determined by ultrasound technique. Autologous platelet rich plasma was prepared and the same was injected. The outcome analysis was done at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months; and compared with pre injection values. From pre-injection to up to post-6 months period, the VAS reduction was statistically significant (P<0.0001). All the time interval, the AOFAS was increased which was statistically significant (P<0.001). The injection was effective in reducing the thickness of plantar fascia, which was found to be statistically significant at all the time intervals (P<0.001). Autologous PRP injection for chronic plantar fasciitis was found to be an effective treatment modality for chronic plantar fasciitis.