The Effect of Percutaneous Partial Release of the Plantar Fascia and Prolotherapy in Plantar Fasciitis Cases: Patient Expectations and Treatment Effects

Abstract

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of heel pain and manifests itself as pain surrounding the calcaneal tubercle. The pain is more severe when one steps on the ground for the first time in the morning, and the plantar fascia decreases as it warms up. Plantar fasciitis can respond to conservative treatments such as ice, relaxation and anti-inflammatory agents. Limited interest has been shown in exercise-based therapies for this common problem. This study aims to make a clinical contribution to the efficacy of plantar release and prolotherapy in the treatment of PF. Similarly, it was examined whether a detailed explanation of form of treatment had an effect on recovery. Material and method: This study was designed as retrospective. Adults diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and followed-up for at least 3 months were included in the study. All patients followed the same exercise protocol and used the same anti-inflammatory agents. In their controls in Weeks 3, 24 and 48 the severity of pain was assessed based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Pain. The patients were informed that some of them would be administered a prolotherapy injection at the end of the conservative treatment. Findings: Groups that were administered prolotherapy and followed-up conservatively reported that their pain significantly alleviated in the 48 th week. In the 24 th week controls, it was determined that the pain scores of prolotherapy group significantly decreased in patients to whom prolotherapy was administered compared to the conservative group. Conclusion: The exercise regime applied in this study alleviates the pain associated with chronic plantar facitiis. However, prolotherapy resulted in a decrease in pain in the