What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis implies inflammation, but this condition is a result of degenerative changes at the origin of the plantar fascia tissue and a common cause of heel pain.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Conservative treatment often includes insoles, physiotherapy, stretching exercises, ultrasound, and shock wave therapy. Steroid or corticosteroid injections are often offered if conservative treatments fail.

Why does PRP work for plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis was once thought to be an inflammatory disease, but is now recognized as a degenerative process. Histologically, normal plantar fascia cells become disorganized and the tissue becomes thickened (Zhang et al. 2018).

PRP injections have been used to treat various chronic degenerative diseases by releasing growth factors that activate and promote tissue healing. PRP often takes time to reach its maximum effect and is superior to steroids in the mid to long-term follow-ups.

To learn more about nonoperative procedures for plantar fasciitis and a consultation to see if you are a candidate contact us at:

(781) 591-7855

info@BSBortho.com

20 Walnut St

Suite 14

Wellesley MA 02481

References:

1. Fei X, Li L, Lingjiao H, Wei C, Zhou X. Platelet-rich Plasma Has Better Mid-term Clinical Results than Traditional Steroid injection for Plantar Fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthopaedics and Traumatology: Surgery and Research (2021).
2. Zhang, J., Nie, D., Rocha, J. L., Hogan, M. V., & Wang, J. H. (2018). Characterization of the structure, cells, and cellular mechanobiological response of human plantar fascia. Journal of tissue engineering, 9, 2041731418801103.