Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injections in recovery from plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic plantar fasciitis (CPF) is a degenerative condition causing persistent heel pain, making clinical management challenging. Among treatment options, the comparative effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid injections (CSIs) remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate their impact on pain relief and functional improvement. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, this review analyzed eight studies involving 599 participants. Pain and function were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Study quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2 tool, and both common- and random-effects models were applied. Results: Pain relief results were mixed. The common-effects model favored PRP (MD ¼ 0.7166), but the random-effects model showed no significant difference (MD ¼ 0.4657). For functional improvement, both models indicated PRP as superior (AOFAS score: MD ¼ 16.13, 95% CI [14.70, 17.55]), with moderate variability (I2 ¼ 48.7%). Conclusions: PRP shows promise in improving function and potentially providing better pain relief compared to CSIs for CPF. While study variability requires careful interpretation, PRP’s functional benefits support its potential as a valuable treatment. Further research with standardized protocols and diverse populations is needed to confirm its clinical effectiveness.