A study to compare the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy with platelet-rich plasma therapy in recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is one of the commonest, and most frustrating, foot ailments seen in a regular orthopaedic clinic. There are a number of modalities available to treat this condition, of which corticosteroid injection is, perhaps, the most popular. However, recent years have seen an increased interest in the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in various clinical situations such as plantar fasciitis. METHODS: We undertook a prospective non-randomized study to compare the efficacy of traditional corticosteroid injection (Steroid group) to PRP injection (PRP group), in a cohort of patients. RESULTS: We studied both groups of patients before and after the injections using Visual Analogue Score (VAS), the Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and American Foot and Ankle Score (AFAS). Our study confirms that there is significant clinical improvement in PRP group at three months after the injection. CONCLUSION: The use of PRP injection can be an attractive alternative in the treatment of disabling, recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Emerging intra-articular causes of groin pain in athletes.

Groin pain remains one of the most poorly understood conditions in clinical sports medicine. It may be caused by either extra-articular or intra-articular conditions. While extra-articular causes have been extensively studied and reasonably understood, a number of elusive intra-articular causes are emerging, many of which were previously unknown and therefore undiagnosed, leading to premature ending of many competitive careers. This article makes an attempt to look at various, elusive intra-articular causes of groin pain in athletes. This article also analyses the currently available evidence on trends in diagnosis and treatment for these conditions.