Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plantar fascitiis/heal pain is the most common condition treated by the foot and ankle specialists.The etiology of plantar fascitiis is unknown and has been attributed to manny different etiological factors.
HYPOTHESIS: We believe injecting autologus platelet concentrate into recalcitrants symptomatic plantar fascia may cause a reparative effect leading to resolution of symptoms.
METHOD: 30 patients with chronic plantar fascitiis were evaluated in this study.The patients had to drop any concomitant conservative treatment or orthotic device and stop having any cortisone injection within 90 days prior to surgery.Each patient has ultrasound mesurement of the thickness of the plantar fascia prior to the surgery and postinjection at 1 month,3months,6 months and 1 year.
RESULTS: 20 patients achieved complete resolution of symptoms after two months;four patients had a complete resolution after a second injection of autologus platelet concentrate;four patients had occasional pain when walking barefoot;two patients were dropped from the study due to an injection of cortisone.
After one year 22 patients (73,3%)had complete resolution of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: This successful findings indicates that injection of autologus paltelet concentrate may become a very commonly used method of treating of chronic palntat fascitiis. This technique is safe and don’t impaire the biomechanical function of the foot. We think that the results may be improved with a multifactorial treatment regimen instead a single isolated modality as we used in our study.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
