Abstract
Chronic plantar fasciitis is a common condition but can be difficult to successfully treat. Platelet rich plasma (PRP), a concentrated bioactive component of autologous blood rich in cytokines and other growth factors, was compared with cortisone injection in the treatment of severe cases of plantar fasciitis resistant to traditional non-operative paradigms. Thirty-six patients (16 males 20 females) were prospectively randomized into two study groups. All patients had pre-treatment MRI and ultrasound studies consistent with plantar fasciitis. The first group was treated with a single ultrasound guided injection of 40 mg Depo-Medrol at the injury site and the second group was treated with a single ultrasound guided injection of un-buffered autologous PRP at the injury site. The cortisone group had an average age of 59 (24–74) and had failed 4 months (3–24) of standard non-operative management (rest, heel lifts, PT, NSAIDS, cam walker immobilization, night splinting, local modalities) and had pre-treatment AOFAS scores of 52 (24–60). The PRP group had an average age of 51 (21–67) and had failed 5 months (3–26) of standard non-operative management (rest, heel lifts, PT, NSAIDS, cam walker immobilization, night splinting, local modalities) and had pre-treatment AOFAS scores of 37 (30–56). All patients were then immobilized fully weight bearing in a cam walker for 2 weeks, started on eccentric home exercises and allowed to return to normal activities as tolerated and without brace support. Post-treatment AOFAS scores were PRP 95 (84–100) and cortisone 81(60–90) at 3 months (CI 95% p< .0001), PRP 95 (86–100) and cortisone 81 (60–90) at 6 months (CI 95% p< .0001), and PRP 94 (86–100) and cortisone 58 (45–77) at 12 months (CI 95% p< .0001). Platelet rich plasma injection is more effective and durable than cortisone injection for the treatment of severe chronic plantar fasciitis refractory to traditional non-operative management.
