Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Soft Tissue Foot and Ankle Pathology

The preparation methodology for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may have important clinical implications with varying effectiveness with leukocyte, platelet, and growth factor concentrations.

There is high-quality evidence to support the superiority of PRP over corticosteroids in the case of chronic plantar fasciitis.

There is moderate-quality to high-quality evidence for PRP's ability to increase tendon thickness with no capacity to decrease pain, increase function, or augment percutaneous tenotomy in Achilles tendinopathy.

There is insufficient evidence to support PRP injections in the definitive treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. However, PRP may contribute to postoperative recovery after tendon rupture repair, but this requires further research.

The biochemical theory supporting the clinical use of PRP must be reinforced with high-level evidence research. Based on the current literature, PRP may serve as a viable treatment method in chronic plantar fasciitis. Further high-quality, comparative studies with longer clinical follow-up are required to support recommendations for use of PRP in the treatment of Achilles tendon pathology.