الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Plantar fasciitis is defined as a painful inflammation at the origin of the plantar fascia at the calcaneus. It is one of the most common causes of foot problems which causes pain and disability in one third of patients. It is more common among women. A full history taking, clinical examination and ultrasonographic examination will provide a diagnosis in such cases. Several modalities could be used in its treatment and among which platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has recently been demonstrated to be helpful in managing plantar fasciitis.
PRP is a platelet rich concentrate with platelet level greater than the baseline by several folds. It modulates collagen synthesis, decreases inflammation, promotes tissue healing and stimulates fibroblast activity. PRP has high levels of platelets and a full complement of clotting and growth factors.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelet rich plasma-ultrasound-guided injection for treatment of plantar fasciitis.
The study included sixty two patients presented with plantar fasciitis, and were randomly divided to receive either saline (group 1) or PRP (group 2) injection, under US-guidance. The clinical examiners and sonographer were blinded to the type of the given injection
The procedure was done in the outpatient clinic and under complete aseptic technique. A medial approach was performed, and a 4-cm 21-gauge needle was inserted perpendicular to the long axis of the ultrasound probe, and advanced under continuous guidance into the inflamed portion (thickest part) of the plantar fascia from its attachment to calcaneus. Follow up of the patients was done at two and six weeks post injection and the results were assessed by visual analouge scale of pain (VAS), pain relief score (PRS), foot function index (FFI) and ultrasound thickness of the plantar fascia (US).
There was no statistically significant difference at baseline between both groups regarding demographic data and other clinical and sonographic measures, i.e, the thickness of tendons by US, VAS and FFI.
At follow up (2nd and 6th week) there was statistically significant improvement in PRP group rather than saline group as regards the thickness of tendons by US, VAS and FFI.
In conclusion, the use of PRP injection for treatment of plantar fasciitis resulted in significant improvement in pain according to VAS, PRS, improvement in the FFI and a reduction in the thickness of the plantar fascia as measured by US compared to saline group.