To evaluate the role of intralesional injection of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid (triamcinolone) in plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis is an aseptic inflammation of the plantar fascia and also the most common cause of plantar heel pain.Approximately more than 10% of the population is affected by it over their lifetime. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus corticosteroid (triamcinolone) therapy in plantar fasciitis and to study the complications associated with both the procedures and their management. Materials and Methods: The study included 36 patients of plantar fasciitis (fulfilling the inclusion criteria) who presented to the OPD/Casualty of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, M.G.M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore, between September 2018 and August 2020. The study was a prospective and interventional type. Results: The mean Roles and Maudsley Subjective Pain score (RMSPS) score at pretreatment was 3.72 ± 0.46 for PRP and 3.72 ± 0.46 for steroids; at 1 month, it was 1.61 ± 0.78 for PRP and 1.44 ± 0.70 for steroids; and at 6 months, it was 1.22 ± 0.55 for PRP and 1.94 ± 0.73 for steroids. The mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at pretreatment was 7.72 ± 0.96 for PRP and 7.78 ± 1.0 for steroids; at 1 month, it was 2.89 ± 1.68 for PRP and 2.50 ± 1.47 for steroids; and at 6 months, it was 1.28 ± 1.49 for PRP and 2.61 ± 1.69 for steroids. PRP injections have shown effectiveness in providing pain relief, improving function in plantar fasciitis patients. As a result, VAS and RMSPS score was significantly reduced (P = 0.015) at 6 months as compared to preprocedure and thus proved the effectiveness of the PRP therapy. It also shows that PRP is a better method in reducing pain in plantar fasciitis compared to steroid injection. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates PRP injection to be an effective and well-tolerated alternative to corticosteroid injection in the management of chronic plantar fasciitis with an added advantage of almost no side effects due to its biological nature and better patient compliance.