Plantar fasciitis is the most common orthopedic problem that causes pain at the bottom of the heel. This occurs when the plantar fascia becomes thin and worn, providing less protection and support to the foot.
The plantar fascia is a mesh ligament that connects the heel to the toes. It enables people to walk and move. It also acts as a shock absorber for the foot.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, approximately one million patients visit their doctor each year for plantar fasciitis. About 10% of runners suffer this injury. Likewise, 10% of active and working adults also suffer from this condition.
Plantar fasciitis causes and symptoms
People who are overweight, obese, or have children are at greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis. When there is more weight, more stress is placed on the ligaments of the foot. Therefore, pregnant women may often complain of foot pain, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Distance runners are also prone to plantar fasciitis because their feet are under greater pressure. People whose jobs require them to stand frequently, such as retail or restaurant service workers, may also develop the disease.
People with high arches or flat feet may also experience this problem. The condition may worsen if they keep wearing the wrong shoes that don’t provide proper support.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel, which may extend into the middle of the foot. This pain increases over time and may feel worse in the morning.
Physical activities may be difficult because of the pain, as the heels can also become hard or inflamed. Sometimes symptoms are most noticeable when a person is resting.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is one of the treatment options for relieving the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. The procedure, derived from centrifugation of patients’ blood, has shown promising results in various trials.
A study published in the journal Orthopedics International showed that patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who received three PRP injections had significantly reduced foot pain 12 months after treatment. A larger study published in The Foot found that 64% of 44 patients said they would receive PRP injections again due to its successful results. These patients do not receive the same results when treated conservatively for plantar fasciitis.
Injecting platelet-rich plasma into an injured area of the body (in this case, the sole of the foot) initiates tissue repair. Platelets are growth factors that trigger the healing process. These growth factors attract the cells needed for repair, but PRP injections intensify this process.
PRP injections require a small blood sample to be collected from the patient and centrifuged. The concentrated blood sample is then injected into the bottom of the foot.
Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
This is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure that allows for faster results compared to other forms of treatment and management. Depending on the physician’s evaluation, patients may receive a single injection or a series of injections. But often, multiple injections are no longer necessary because patients can achieve relief after only three treatments.
After surgery, patients may experience mild pain from the injection. However, within a week after surgery, patients can return to normal activities without feeling any pain or needing to take pain medication.
Our pain clinic in Aventura offers comprehensive interventional pain management services. Our pain specialists are experts at performing procedures such as spinal cord stimulation, platelet-rich plasma injections, epidural steroid injections and other innovative techniques. All of these can help relieve your pain and restore your quality of life. If you have any questions, please contact us.
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice and does not substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
