Ultrasound guided injection of platelet rich plasma in cases of chronic plantar fasciitis

Chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) is, by far, considered one of the commonest causes of foot complaints; constituting up to 15% of the foot symptoms that needs medical care in adult and active subjects.

Purpose

Is to confirm the clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis by ultrasound and to depict the effect of ultrasound guided injection of PRP in such cases.

Methods

The study was conducted on 44 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis not responding to conservative treatment, they were diagnosed and were treated by ultrasound guided PRP injection then followed-up after 4 months by both clinical and ultrasound examinations.

Results

By ultrasound mild improvement in plantar fascia thickness from 6.04 mm (mean of pre injection) to 4.93 mm (mean of 4 months post last injection). By VAS, significant improvement from 8.14 (mean of pre injection) to 2.59 (mean of 4 months post injection). By Roles and Maudsley score, significant improvement from 81.8% of patients who were acceptable and 18.2% were poor (pre injection) to 59.1% became excellent, 31.8% good, 4.5% acceptable and 4.5%poor (4 months post injection).

Conclusion

Ultrasound is a confirmatory diagnostic tool of PF and PRP ultrasound guided injection is recommended after failure of conservative treatment.