A Comparative Prospective Study of Platelet Rich Plasma vs. Corticosteroid Injection in Plantar Fasciitis not Responding to 6 Weeks of Conservative Treatment

Abstract

There are various modalities for the treatment of plantar fasciitis that include rest, orthotics, night splints, extracorporeal shockwave therapy and casting. If all conservative methods fail; a corticosteroid injection over the medial tuberosity of the calcaneum is an effective treatment modality. In recent years the use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) a component of blood that is bioactive with a platelet concentration 2-5X the baseline platelet count of the patient. PRP is said to act as rally point by attracting inflammatory mediators and cytokines allowing the deposition of collagen, collagen maturation and remodeling. This has been the reason for the increased interest in its use for plantar fasciitis.