Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause (11.0%–15.0%) of heel pain in adults, often becoming chronic and unresponsive to conservative management. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), due to its regenerative properties, has emerged as a promising treatment modality. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PRP therapy/minimally invasive pain and spine intervention in the management of chronic plantar fasciitis in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, and ultrasonographic changes. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center over 18 months. A total of 25 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis unresponsive to conservative measures were included. Autologous PRP was prepared and injected under ultrasound guidance using the peppering technique. Pain intensity (visual analog scale VAS), function (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society AOFAS score), and plantar fascia thickness (ultrasound) were assessed at baseline, immediately postinjection, and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: The mean VAS score significantly reduced from 7.6 ± 0.9 to 1.4 ± 0.7 over a period of 6 months ( P < 0.001). AOFAS scores improved significantly from 63.9 ± 13.2 to 90.6 ± 4.2 ( P < 0.001). Plantar fascia thickness also decreased significantly from 6.45 ± 0.6 mm to 4.1 ± 0.4 mm ( P < 0.001). No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PRP injection is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated modality for chronic plantar fasciitis. It offers significant long-term pain relief, improved functional outcomes, and a measurable reduction in plantar fascia thickness.
Rastogi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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