Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is promoted now­adays as an ideal autologous biological blood-derived product. It enhances wound healing, bone healing, tendon healing and is currently being widely used.

A prospective cohort study was done to assess the efficacy of autologous PRP injection and to compare it with corticosteroid injection in treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF).

Eighty patients were included in the study and divided into two groups. Group I (30 patients) received PRP injection and group II (50 patients) were given steroid injection. Patients were clinically assessed at different intervals. Functional outcome was evaluated on the basis of visual analog scale (VAS) and foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) scores. Planter fascia thickness was assessed pre- and postinjection by ultrasound.

Platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroid injection groups at the initial visit had VAS score of 8.44 and 8.38 respectively which was reduced to 1.46 and 3.02 at the end of 6 months. The PRP and corticosteroid injection groups at the initial visit had FAAM score of 29.9 and 31.6 respectively which increased to 83.4 and 69.1 at the end of 6 months. After injection, the PRP group had significant reduction (35.90%) in the thickness of plantar fascia as compared to corticosteroid group (28.67%).

Treatment of PF with PRP extract reduces pain and significantly increases function, exceeding the effect of steroid on long-term follow-up.

Tank G, Gupta R, Gupta A, Rohila R. Comparative Study of Platelet-rich Plasma and Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia-Pacific) 2017;4(2):84-89.