Platelet-rich plasma is most effective treatment for chronic heel pain, study suggests

John J. Wilson, MD, MS, AMSSM member, presented his research on plantar fasciitis entitled, "Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciopathy in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial" on Friday, April 19, 2013 at the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine's 22nd Annual Meeting in San Diego, Cal.

Dr. Wilson and his colleagues are currently conducting a randomized controlled clinical trial investigating platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the plantar fascia origin and is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. Plantar fasciitis is an important cause of pain and disability among athletes, but also prevalent in the general population, especially sedentary individuals, with previous research estimating two million Americans affected annually. Few studies have assessed PRP as a treatment for plantar fasciitis, and no single study has assessed the degree of correlation between the clinical, biomechanical and ultrasound features of plantar fasciitis in response to therapy.

The overall goal of this research is to find an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe chronic (>6 month) plantar fasciitis. This 32-week randomized controlled clinical trial compares the effectiveness of PRP compared to corticosteroid injection for refractory plantar fasciitis. The results from this high quality and multi-disciplinary study will evaluate both clinical and radiographic outcomes following two injection treatments for chronic plantar fasciitis.

John J. Wilson, MD, MS, specializes in primary care sports medicine. Dr. Wilson is a board certified assistant professor in the departments of Orthopedics and Family Medicine and fellowship-trained in sports medicine. He is a team physician for the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department. In this role, he provides medical coverage for the Badger men's football and wrestling teams. Dr. Wilson is a faculty member of the University of Wisconsin Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center and his current research includes investigation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for treatment of chronic overuse injuries, and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions.