title: Platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic plantar fasciopathy: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an increasing interest in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection as a treatment for chronic plantar fasciopathy (PF). We wished to evaluate the evidence for the use of PRP in PF/fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic review on the effects of PRP in PF. In June 2014, we searched Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase databases using various combinations of the commercial names of each PRP preparation and 'plantar' (with its associated terms). We only included prospectively designed studies in humans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight articles met the inclusion criteria, three of them were randomized. All studies yielded a significantly greater improvement in symptoms between baseline and last follow-up assessment. None of the papers recorded major complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only three randomized studies were identified; none of them had a true controlled group treated with placebo and one of the three studies had a very short (6 week) follow-up. A non-randomized study evaluating PRP versus corticosteroids (CCS) injections, and a randomized controlled trial comparing PRP and dextrose prolotherapy reported no statistical significant differences at 6 months. Most studies did not have a control group and imaging evaluation.
  Evidence for the use of PRP in PF shows promising results, and this therapy appears safe. However, the number of studies available is limited and randomized placebo-controlled studies are required. Characterizing the details of the intervention and standardizing the outcome scores would help to better document the responses and optimize the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franceschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papalia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paciotti
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London E1 4DG, UK Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: PRP; fasciitis; plantar fasciopathy; platelet-rich plasma; systematic review