The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma therapy and corticosteroid injection in the treatment of planter fasciitis: A Comparative study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study to compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma therapy and corticosteroid injection in the treatment of planter fasciitis. Methods: The prospective clinical study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Narayan Medical College & Hospital, Jamuhar, Bihar, India from July 2020 to June. 44 patients were included for the study and were randomly allotted into two groups, PRP group (n=22) and Steroid group (n=22). For preparation of platelet-rich plasma, 25-27 ml of blood was withdrawn from the cubital vein and placed in a glass tube containing 3 ml of citrate dextrose solution (ratio 9:1). Citrate dextrose solution was used to prevent clotting. The blood was centrifuged at 3300- rpm for 10-12 minutes and 3ml PRP preparation was obtained from the upper buffy coat. Results: The mean initial or Pre injection VAS and AOFAS scores in the steroid and PRP group was 7.7±2.1, 59.89±11.77 and 8.3±2.2, 61.58±10.69 respectively and were comparable (p ≥ 0.05). Post injection, the score improved considerably in each group on each follow-up; however no significant difference could be detected between the scores of the two groups at the follow-up of 1 month VAS (4.2±2.3 vs 3.3±0.91) and AOFAS (80.66±10.96 vs 82.65±10.36), 3 months VAS (2.5±1.9 vs 1.9±0.88), AOFAS (85.65±12.97 VS 87.89±12.69) and 6-months VAS (2.0±0.97 vs 1.5±0.6) and AOFAS (88.7±12.69 vs 89.96±11.36). Conclusion: We concluded that the treatment of plantar fasciitis with steroid or PRP injection was found to be equally effective.