Role of Platelet Rich Plasma in the Management of Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Interventional Study

Introduction: Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common chronic degenerative foot condition associated with pain in the bottom of the foot (enthesopathy), encountered by an orthopaedic practitioner. Various treatment options have been implicated and it has been frustrating problem for both patients and treating doctors. Very limited studies are available showing the variable effects of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), the autologous conditioned plasma, in human tissues.

Aim: To determine the role of PRP in the management of patients with PF.

Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics in collaboration with blood bank in SRM Medical College and Hospital, Potheri, Chengalpet district, Tamil Nadu, India, between November 2017 to April 2019. In this study, 70 patients with PF were treated with single dose of local injection of 3 mL autologous PRP. These patients were assessed for pain relief using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). In addition ultrasonographic evaluation of thickness of plantar fascia was done six months after treatment. The statistical analysis of each clinical outcomes was analysed individually, using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Statistical significance was done with student’s t-test and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of the patients in this study was 38.8±4 years. There were 39 (55.7%) female and 31 (44.3%) male patients in the study. The mean symptom duration from the approximate onset of symptom to the study enrollment was 7±2.3 months. The statistically significant reduction in VAS score from the baseline and reduction in thickness of plantar fascia was observed in the study. FAAM score also gradually improved from mean 32.05±8.20 at baseline to 60.97±8.94 after 24 weeks with mean difference of 28.92.

Conclusion: The present study observed that PRP is potentially effective and safe treatment option for long term relief o