Regenerative efficacy of therapeutic quality platelet-rich plasma injections versus phonophoresis with kinesiotaping for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: A prospective randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) a common chronic musculoskeletal pain routinely diagnosed and treated in rehabilitation practices. When conservative management fails in this degenerative disease, local injections of corticosteroids, platelet rich plasma (PRP), botulinum toxin, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, surgical release are used. In our prospective randomized pilot study we compared the regenerative efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma vs Kinesiotaping with phonophoresis who were resistant to conservative management of PF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four chronic plantar fasciitis patients nonresponding to conservative management were evaluated for two interventions.36 patients received ultrasound guided 2.5 ml autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection and 28 participant received phonophoresis and total10 Kinesiotaping on alternate days. 54 participants 33 in PRP intervention group and 21 in KT group were analyzed, by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), plantar fascia thickness (ultrasound guided) and disability and activity limitation measured by foot function index in every two weeks up to 6 months.

RESULTS: Post intervention assessment at 2 weeks revealed improvement in pain relief was better in Kinesiotaping group (NRS-4.619) as compared to PRP group (NRS- 6.061). But evaluation at 12 and 24 weeks showed statistically significant improvement in NRS and Foot function index in PRP group than in Kinesiotaping. Similarly, at the end of 24-week improvement in foot function index (FFI) was more in PRP group (P<0.0001). At end of 12 and 24 weeks there was significant reduction in plantar fascia thickness in PRP group (p<0.0001) as compared to KT group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that therapeutic quality autologous PRP injection (1x106 platelets/μl) has regenerative effect with long and better efficacy in pain management of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis than Phonophoresis and Kinesiotaping.