So I am injured. I had an MRI done last week to identify what seemed to be plantar fasciitis but what is unfortunately a full thickness tear of the medial segment of the central cord of my plantar fascia. My doctors have advised me to undergo prolotherapy with the inclusion of the blood platelet rich plasma injections. Has anyone had any experience with this procedure? I go in Monday for my first of 2-3 injections. The hope is this will accelerate the reattachment and healing of my fascia to the bone of my heel and get me back to running in possibly 6-8 weeks.
I have a pal who had it done on his knee about 2 years ago. He ran a 1:12 half marathon last year if that tells you the results;) I will shoot him an email today and see if he can expound overall on he total story, but yea it was helpful to him.
Did it with my SI Joint, after not able to run at all for 2 years improved tremendously and qualified for Kona. I highly recommend it.
I have had both procedures, but enver combined.
Had used the PRP for an Achilles injury. Got me about 75% of the way to being healed, but did not fully resolve the issue. A subsequent blood clot (not caused by the PRP) derailed any further PRP treatments since I was put on blood thinners.
Had prolotherapy for my ongoing IT issues. First ij=njection did nothing. Second one was 7 months later and in a different location and seemed to help some of the irritation I was having near the IT attachment point below the knee. Just saw my ortho on Monday and concluded I did not need an second injection there. So it seems to have provided some benefit.
Here is the good news - both of these treatment options ahve no downside. prolotherapy is just a saline / sugar combination designed to cause minor irritation which initiates the healing process. If it doesn’t work, no biggie. Try again or try something else. PRP is just injecting “you” into you. Again, there are no detrimental side effects to the treatment.
The only thing you “risk” is time. But seeing as how there is no long-term- recovery issues like you would have with surgery, etc. I highly recommend exploring both options. I would ask about getting the treatments done individually however. Seems to me that if you inject the prolotherapy solution along with your platelets, you are diluting their concentration. My understanding is that the higher concentration of platelets, the higher the probability of success.
Good luck!
Here is the good news - both of these treatment options ahve no downside.
Providing the treatment itself does not cause issues. The substance being injected is considered quite safe but, for example, if you were injecting into a tendon sheath then there is a very real risk when penetrating an enclosed and infection resistant covering. That’s not to say it is likely to happen, but it is a risk and not a negligibly small one by all accounts.
Why do anything at all? Plantar fascia tears are relatively common injuries and generally heal quite well. Nothing wrong with a PRP injection I suppose, but there is absolutely no data to support it’s use in acute injuries of any kind. I would NOT do prolotherapy on an acute injury - makes no sense. I’ve done plenty of PRP injections for chronic, unresponsive plantar fasciitis, but never with prolo together (actually, I don’t do any prolotherapy of any kind, but I’m not really against it I guess).
Why do anything at all? Plantar fascia tears are relatively common injuries and generally heal quite well. Nothing wrong with a PRP injection I suppose, but there is absolutely no data to support it’s use in acute injuries of any kind. I would NOT do prolotherapy on an acute injury - makes no sense. I’ve done plenty of PRP injections for chronic, unresponsive plantar fasciitis, but never with prolo together (actually, I don’t do any prolotherapy of any kind, but I’m not really against it I guess).
My tear was diagnosed as a chronic injury, not acute. So the damage to the fascia has been occurring for some time.
I received PRP for medial epicondylitis almost 2 months ago after fighting it fro about 4 months with zero improvement and zero swimming! Within 3 weeks it was at least 50% better. After the 4th week I talked my orthopedic into a prolotherapy injection, but he recommended I immobilize the arm for 3 weeks. I would say that I am now about 80% better. Hopefully PT will get me the rest of the way.
My insurance didn’t cover it, cost me $750. I don’t regret it at all. That was the only thing that seemed to help. I am not to sure about the Prolotherapy, but I like the concept for tendonosis.
I’ve heard good things about prolotherapy and considered getting it done on my high hamstring… I opted for more conservative/cheaper therapies like ASTYM…
I can’t imagine the prolotherapy would really have much of a risk… Would stem cell treatment be a viable option? Marc Rubin has had good luck with that …
I’ve heard some docs say that prolotherapy doesn’t really do much because as soon as you inject the irritating liquid, it is hard to keep focused on the specific area you inject it making it hard for the irritant to do its job and stimulate healing…
I say go for it!! I want to see you back killing it by the time Desert Classic comes around!
Thanks Kevin and everyone else, I really appreciate the comments. I agree with sentiment that it can’t hurt and provides the best, quickest option at this point. Perhaps having my injury so isolated, the right side heel of my right foot, may allow the therapy to be more concentrated and effective. I will know more certainly aft Mpndays appt. and will report back.
had prolo for back issues, did provide some help
they also have a treatment now that combines ozone with prolo called prolozone therapy…google for info and doctors.