The role of autologous blood injections in the treatment for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis – A case series and longer-term follow-up

Abstract

Abstract Objective To identify outcomes for patients following autologous blood injections for chronic plantar fasciitis symptoms. Methods Prospective case series performed by a single clinician in a National Health Service Sports Medicine Department. Patients with recalcitrant symptoms had a single autologous blood injection performed along with a structured rehabilitation programme. Patients were followed up clinically as part of routine care, and those who had previously been discharged, after care was finished, were contacted for a current assessment of symptoms and function. Results Sixty-two patients were identified and follow-up data was available for all patients, with a median follow-up of 631 days and with follow-up of at least 1 year for nearly three-quarters of patients. There was an average reduction in pain as assessed by visual analogue score (VAS) of 84%, with 55% of patients reporting themselves as ‘pain-free’ (VAS = 0), and 68% as ‘virtually pain-free’ (VAS 0–1). There were no serious side-effects reported. Discussion Autologous blood injections appear to be an appropriate option in the management of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, although evidence from randomised control trials is still needed to prove causality. There remain a small proportion of patients who do not seem to benefit sufficiently from this procedure and who require alternative treatment options. Further work is required to identify any factors that may be associated with either good or poor response to better tailor individual treatments.