Many are familiar with the nagging pain and irritation that comes with plantar fasciitis. For those who aren’t, the plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes and hence, provides arch support. When this tissue becomes strained or injured, the result is a painful inflammatory condition—plantar fasciitis.
Researchers in Spain conducted a clinical study examining the effects of a specific class of steroids (corticosteroids) versus PRP injections as a therapy for plantar fasciitis. The study involved forty patients who had tried more conservative treatments for at least six months without success. Corticosteroid and PRP treatment success were determined by improvement in pain, inflammation, function and plantar fascia tissue structure by way of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging.
The study concluded that while both treatments reduced pain and inflammation, PRP is a better, longer-lasting treatment that improved symptoms, structure, and function more than the corticosteroid treatment. The study also concluded that MRI and ultrasound are useful imaging tools for evaluating structural changes to plantar fascia injuries following non-surgical treatment.
