Refractory Plantar Fasciitis- PRP or Local Corticosteroid?

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Plantar Fasciitis is often a nuisance to treat because of its intractable nature. Corticosteroid injections have been conventionally used to treat such cases.One emerging therapeutic modality is the use of PlateletRich-Plasma.We compare the efficacy of the two modalities.Methods: 60 patients with intractable plantar fasciitis were randomised to receive either autologous PRP or Corticosteroid injection. All patients were assessed with the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain and the Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI) Score.Data was collected prospectively on the cohort,pre-treatment,and at 1st,2nd,6th and 12th week post injection and the results were compared. Results:Both treatment cohorts had 30 patients, with the PRP injection group having an average age of 42.0 ± 12.98 years and Corticosteroid injection had an average age of 39.4 ± 10.09 years.PRP injection group had male to female ratio of 0.875 while corticosteroid injection group had a ratio of 0.67.Mean FADI scores and VAS scores on 2nd and 6th week of study were significantly higher in corticosteroid injection group as compared to the PRP injection group,while the mean of two scores had no significant difference between the two groups when measured on 1st and 12th week.Conclusion: Although both techniques have similar immediate and long term results,corticosteroid injection has better pain relief in short term