A prospective study of the role of platelet rich plasma in patients with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Background: This study is taken up to study the role of Platelet Rich Plasma in plantar fasciitis.
Material and methods: About 20ml of venous blood drawn under aseptic conditions and sodium citrate addedas anticoagulant. The sample will be collected in orthopaedics OPD at VIMS Ballari. And sent to biochemistry lab for PRP preparation,1st centrifugation done at 3500rpm for 7min.The upper layer above the buffy coat will be collected and transferred to emptytubes, these tubes will be centrifuged again at 3000 rpm for 5min. After this 2/3 rd of the upper portion of the volume will be discarded and lower 1/3 rd portion will be collected as platelet rich plasma. The final product of 3 ml of PRP will be obtained and it will be injected into medial calcaneal tubercle at the point of maximum tenderness onsame day. Platelet count assessment will be done initially in the whole blood as well asin PRP in all patients. Mean platelet in PRP should be 5-6 times of that in plasma.
Results: In the present study, majority of the study participants were in the age group of 51- 60years. Followed by 34% in the age group of 40-50years. The mean age was 55.7 ±8.51 years. The most commonly affected side was right heel (64%), and 36% had their left heelinjured. The duration of the condition was 16-20 weeks among 16 participants, 21- 25weeks in15 participants, 10-15weeks in 12 participants and 26-3-weeks in 7 participants. The mean duration was 19.72±4.92.
Conclusion: Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of foot complaints that results from  degeneration ofplanter fascia. PRP is an excellent autologous source of concentrated bioactive molecules with a potential to accelerate healing. It is a better alternative for
conservative management, that enhances the tissue regeneration. PRP injection results in significant improvements specially in terms of pain and physical ability among patients with plantar fasciitis. The other beneficial part of PRP is its long-term effect. Hence, we conclude that, Autologous PRP injection is a safe and useful modality of treatment in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.