title: The treatment of intractable plantar fasciitis with platelet-rich plasma injection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whilst most cases of plantar fasciitis can be settled with existing conservative treatment, a few intractable cases can be difficult to resolve. New biologic treatments have been proposed for a variety of soft tissue problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in chronic cases of plantar fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with plantar fasciitis not responded to a minimum of 1 year standard conservative management were offered PRP therapy. Injections were performed in theatre as a day case. Roles-Maudsley (RM) scores, Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), AOFAS scores and 'would have injection again' were collated pre-operatively, three and six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prospective data was collected of 50 heels (44 patients). At six month review, RM score improved from mean 4 to 2 (p<0.001), VAS improved from 7.7 to 4.2 (p<0.001) and AOFAS improved from 60.6 to 81.9 (p<0.001). 28 patients (64%) were very satisfied and would have the injection again. No complications were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In these chronic cases, PRP produce an efficacy rate, approaching 2 out of every 3. The procedure was safe with no reported complications. The authors feel PRP may have some role in treatment, and merits further study with a prospective randomised trial.
authors.affiliation: Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9EP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: drvjeet@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Vishwajeet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Philip N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Plantar fasciitis; Platelet-rich plasma; Resistant