Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Corticosteroid Injections for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial. May 2024
Plantar fasciitis is a very common foot and ankle condition that presents with a gradual onset of heel pain. The causes is multifactorial, and risk factors include poor foot mechanics, decreased ankle mobile, and prolonged weight-bearing activities. Plantar fasciitis is now thought to involve a degenerative process rather than pure inflammation, particularly in the longest chronic settings.
Despite various treatment options available, the management of plantar fasciitis remains challenging, with inconsistent outcomes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), cortisone injections, stretching exercises, and orthotics are examples of commonly used interventions, which in May cases, to have good success. However, many chronic cases can be very stubborn. The use of corticosteroids has been associated with increased risks of tissue weakening and local fat loss, thus more so associated with multiple injections.
In recent years, the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained popular attention as good natural alternative treatment for chronic tendon issues, including plantar fasciitis. PRP therapy is a biological injection with higher concentration of growth factors, which can be associated with reducing inflammation, stimulating tissue regeneration, and healing. This recent May 2024 study look to compare the effectiveness of PRP versus corticosteroid injections in the management of chronic plantar fasciitis.
The resents reported that PRP group showed significantly greater improvements in pain and function compared to the corticosteroid group at the one-month, three-month, and six-month follow-ups. Overall concluding that PRP injections are superior to steroid injections for long-term pain alleviation and functional improvement for patients suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis. PRP is a feasible therapeutic option, especially in individuals who have not shown improvement with conservative treatment.
Study can be found here at plantar fasciitis treatment.
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