Vol. 11, Issue 2 (2025)

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, often resulting from repetitive microtrauma and chronic inflammation. While conservative treatments remain the first line of management, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a promising alternative for refractory cases. This paper reviews the efficacy of PRP injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, analyzing current clinical evidence and highlighting potential advantages over conventional therapies. Plantar fasciitis, characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, affects approximately 10% of the population at some point in their lives. The condition is often associated with significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, and prolonged recovery times. Conventional treatments, including physical therapy, orthotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroid injections, can be effective but may not address the underlying degenerative changes in chronic cases. PRP, an autologous blood product rich in growth factors and cytokines, has gained attention for its regenerative potential and ability to promote tissue healing.

Methods: A prospective study of 30 patients with clinical diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis (Unilateral/ Bilateral). Participants were treated with a single intra-articular PRP injection, prepared using the double-spin technique and Single Spin Technique. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle- Hindfoot Score, and follow-up assessments were performed at 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post-injection.

Results: Significant improvements in both pain and function were observed. The mean VAS score decreased from 7 at baseline to 4 at 12 weeks, and to 3 at 6 months. Significance of VAS Score reduction from baseline compared at 12 weeks is 0.000 and at 6 months is 0.004. The baseline mean total AOFAS score of the patients at the time of injection was 52.75 and it increased to 79.75 at 12 weeks follow up and 83.85 at 6 months follow up, suggestive of effectiveness of single PRP injection in cases of plantar fasciitis.

Conclusion: This study concludes that single injection of PRP is a safe, simple, inexpensive OPD procedure with minimum foreign body reaction that offered a significant amount of improvement in terms of alleviation of pain and overall functional outcome in Plantar Fasciitis Also, PRP is effective in long term, up to 6 months pain relief and functional outcome of Plantar Fasciitis as reported by improvement in VAS Scores and AOFAS Scores taken at 1,4,8,12 & 6 months follow up and Significant improvements seen.