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The treatment of intractable plantar fasciitis with platelet-rich plasma injection.

Foot (Edinb). 2013 Jul 29;

Authors: Kumar V, Millar T, Murphy PN, Clough T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whilst most cases of plantar fasciitis can be settled with existing conservative treatment, a few intractable cases can be difficult to resolve. New biologic treatments have been proposed for a variety of soft tissue problems.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in chronic cases of plantar fasciitis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with plantar fasciitis not responded to a minimum of 1 year standard conservative management were offered PRP therapy. Injections were performed in theatre as a day case. Roles-Maudsley (RM) scores, Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), AOFAS scores and 'would have injection again' were collated pre-operatively, three and six months.
RESULTS: Prospective data was collected of 50 heels (44 patients). At six month review, RM score improved from mean 4 to 2 (p<0.001), VAS improved from 7.7 to 4.2 (p<0.001) and AOFAS improved from 60.6 to 81.9 (p<0.001). 28 patients (64%) were very satisfied and would have the injection again. No complications were reported.
CONCLUSION: In these chronic cases, PRP produce an efficacy rate, approaching 2 out of every 3. The procedure was safe with no reported complications. The authors feel PRP may have some role in treatment, and merits further study with a prospective randomised trial.

PMID: 23906977 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23906977?dopt=Abstract