Plantar fasciitis is a common condition affecting one in 10 people, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. While common in runners, anyone — even sedentary people – can experience this problem. With the right treatment, 80 percent of patients will improve within a year.
While icing and stretching can help with discomfort, and cortisone injections can reduce inflammation, the effects are usually only temporary. Fortunately, there is a more effective and longer-lasting approach to treating plantar fasciitis. Regenerative treatments such as prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections help the tissue to actually heal while providing permanent relief.
Plantar Fasciitis: Common Cause of Heel Pain
This common cause of heel pain in many people involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your feet that connects the heel bone to your toes (AKA plantar fascia).
Plantar fasciitis typically results in stabbing pain, usually occurring with your first steps as you get out of bed in the morning. As you move around, the pain (akin to a burning sensation in the middle of your foot) generally decreases but can return after sitting or lying down for long periods of time—inflammation results from repeated trauma due to overuse or injury. Sometimes, a previous ankle injury can result in plantar fasciitis strain. That’s because the instability of loose ankles puts added pressure on the foot.
It can be tough to identify or diagnose plantar fasciitis because there are other conditions that cause similar pain, such as Achilles tendon injuries, stress fractures, lumbar radiculopathy, bursitis, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, and contusions. To correctly identify plantar fasciitis, you need an exam by a doctor and then confirmation by MRI and ultrasound.
Plantar Fasciitis Injury Treatments
There are a few home remedies you can try to treat plantar fasciitis, such as cortisone injections, foot bracing, and strapping. However, these treatments are usually just temporary. For longer-lasting improvement, biological regenerative treatments such as PRP and prolotherapy are more effective. If you have an actual tear in the plantar fascia, stem cell therapy is a viable treatment to try.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy involves a solution of dextrose (concentrated) and a local anesthetic to stimulate your body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissue and encourage new growth. The area’s original strength can be restored through injections to the injury site.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelets spur tissue repair through the release of growth factors which begin the healing process by attracting special cells. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) furthers this process through the delivery of a higher concentration of platelets. A small sample of your blood is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from other components of the blood. Then, the concentrated PRP is injected into the point of injury to strengthen the body’s natural healing.
These treatments generally last longer than other treatments and are much less invasive than traditional surgery.
Contact Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
Do you suffer from pain due to plantar fasciitis? Call our pain management specialists at (248) 216-1008 to discuss how regenerative medicine can help ease your pain.