Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Study on Efficacy and Functional Improvement

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF), a common cause of heel pain, often resists conservative treatments and poses risks with surgery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections offer a regenerative, promising alternative, but more evidence is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Methods: This prospective study was conducted within the Orthopedics Department of a tertiary-level hospital. A total of 50 patients, aged 50–65 years, presenting with unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis who had not responded to conservative treatments, were included. PRP injections were administered under aseptic conditions. Pain and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Functional Activity Disability Index (FADI) at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-injection. Results: PRP injections demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in VAS scores, with a 73% decrease in pain levels noted by the six-month follow-up (p<0.001). FADI scores exhibited significant improvement at all follow-up time points (p<0.001), with sustained enhancements observed at the six-month evaluation. No significant differences were detected between the one-month and three-month follow-ups for both VAS and FADI scores (p=0.520). Conclusion: PRP injections are associated with significant pain relief and functional improvement in patients suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis. These findings support the use of PRP as an effective non-surgical treatment alternative, particularly for patients who do not respond adequately to conservative therapies. Further studies employing standardized protocols are necessary to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment modality.