A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma, Corticosteroid, and Dry Needling Therapies for Plantar Fasciitis: Clinical Outcomes at 6 Months
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https://doi.org/10.58600/eurjther2733Keywords:
plantar fasciitis, PRP, corticosteroid, dry needling, heel pain, randomized trialAbstract
Objective: Plantar fasciitis is a cause of heel pain, and several treatment options can be found for refractory cases. Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP), dry needling, and corticosteroid injection have been studied individually, comparative data among the three modalities remain limited. Our aim in this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of PRP, local corticosteroid injection, and dry needling in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis unresponsive to conservative treatment.
Methods: Seventy-five patients aged 18–65 years were randomized into three groups: PRP (Group A), corticosteroid injection (Group B), and dry needling (Group C). All groups were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot Score, and the Roles and Maudsley Score (RMS) at baseline, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Statistical analysis contained repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc comparisons.
Results: All three groups showed significant improvements in AOFAS, VAS, and RMS scores at each follow-up point (p < 0.001). PRP resulted in superior long-term functional recovery, with higher AOFAS scores at 6 months compared to corticosteroid and dry needling groups. Corticosteroid injection provided more rapid pain relief in the early weeks, while dry needling demonstrated comparable efficacy in long-term outcomes.
Conclusion: All three modalities appear to be effective in managing plantar fasciitis and are often unresponsive to conservative care. PRP showed the most favorable long-term outcomes, suggesting its potential as a first-line treatment for invasive conditions.
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