A comparative study of functional outcome of single dose intra-lesional platelet rich plasma injection versus single dose corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. In some cases, it can lead to significant morbidity and then invasive procedures like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection and/or intralesional steroid injection are required, in whom conservative treatment is unresponsive. It is still controversial whether PRP is more effective in reducing pain and also improving the function compared to intralesional steroid. Aims & Objectives: To determine efficacy of single dose Intralesional-PRP injection and single dose Intralesional-Corticosteroid injection, also to compare the efficacy between the both in Plantar fasciitis based on the functional outcome by Visual Analogue Pain scale (VAS) at end of 2weeks, 3rd months and 6th months. Methodology: A comparative study on skeletally mature patients with plantar fasciitis who had underwent conservative therapy but failed, were randomized into 2 groups: PRP and Steroid group. Using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), participants were assessed for pain on the Day of presentation, and then after therapy at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Results: Total of 60 patients were included in the study and randomized into 2 groups -30 for steroid group and 30 for PRP group. Results showed that VAS of PRP group was significantly lower than that of steroid group at 2weeks, 3months and 6 months. PRP was associated with great improvement in VAS score at 6months compared to steroid injection. The result and difference were more pronounced as the time from injection increased and maximal benefit was observed at 6 months follow-up. None of the patients needed a repeat injection at 6 months. Conclusion: PRP injections provide better pain relief and function, compared to corticosteroids, in patients with plantar fasciitis. On comparison with previous studies, results were almost similar that is superiority of PRP over steroid injection in plantar fasciitis.