How Dextrose Prolotherapy Can Help Stubborn Heel Pain from Plantar Fasciitis
If you wake up every morning feeling as if you are stepping onto a drawing pin you are not alone. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults. It can make simple activities like walking the dog going to the gym or even standing at work feel miserable.
A recent randomized controlled trial published in Cureus looked closely at two injection treatments for stubborn plantar fasciitis chronic heel pain that has not improved with basic care. The study compared ultrasound guided 25 percent dextrose prolotherapy with platelet rich plasma PRP injections.
At our clinic we were very interested in this research because we provide ultrasound guided dextrose prolotherapy for plantar fasciitis and we do NOT offer PRP for plantar fasciitis. The study supports what we see in day to day practice, prolotherapy is a safe minimally invasive and effective option for chronic heel pain.
What Did the Study Look At
The trial included adults aged 18 to 60 with plantar fasciitis that had not responded to at least two weeks of conservative care such as rest stretching insoles and simple pain relief.
Patients were randomly divided into two groups
Group A received 25 percent dextrose prolotherapy mixed with local anaesthetic
Group B received platelet rich plasma PRP injections
All injections were given under ultrasound guidance directly at the origin of the plantar fascia to ensure accuracy and safety.
The researchers measured
Pain using a Pain Intensity Scale PIS
Function and disability using the Foot Function Index FFI
Overall foot and ankle health using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score FAOS
These were checked at the start then again at three weeks and six weeks after treatment.
The Key Findings Prolotherapy Works
Both groups began with similar levels of pain and disability which makes the comparison between treatments fair.
Over the six week follow up period both prolotherapy and PRP produced clear improvements
Pain scores reduced in both groups
Foot function improved
Overall foot and ankle outcomes became better
The PRP group showed slightly greater improvements on some measures by six weeks but importantly the difference between PRP and dextrose prolotherapy was not statistically significant.
In everyday language
👉 Dextrose prolotherapy worked very well and although PRP appeared to have a small edge in this short study it was not clearly superior in a way that could be proven beyond chance.
Why This Matters if You Have Plantar Fasciitis
For patients this is very good news
Prolotherapy is a research supported treatment option for persistent plantar fasciitis
It can reduce pain improve function and support a return to normal activity
It is minimally invasive and done as an outpatient procedure
The study also reinforces that you do not always need more complex or expensive treatments to see meaningful relief.
Why We Choose Dextrose Prolotherapy and Not PRP
At our clinic we have chosen to offer ultrasound guided dextrose prolotherapy for plantar fasciitis and to be absolutely clear we do NOT offer PRP injections.
Here are some reasons prolotherapy is an excellent choice
Evidence based and effective
This randomized controlled trial shows that 25 percent dextrose prolotherapy significantly improved pain and function over six weeks in people with chronic plantar fasciitis. It performed well when compared with PRP and delivered strong clinical results.
Simpler and more comfortable for patients
PRP treatment requires
A blood draw
Processing the blood in a centrifuge machine
Handling special equipment and kits
Dextrose prolotherapy uses a carefully prepared solution of medical grade dextrose a type of sugar combined with local anaesthetic. There is no need for blood collection or laboratory processing which means a quicker and more straightforward visit for you.
Lower cost and less complexity
Because prolotherapy does not require specialised blood handling or equipment it is generally more affordable than PRP. The study itself notes that PRP is more costly and more complicated to prepare even though the overall outcomes were not significantly better.
Ultrasound guided accuracy
Just as in the study we carry out prolotherapy under ultrasound guidance. This allows us to
Locate the exact area of the damaged plantar fascia
Place the injection precisely where it is needed
Minimise discomfort and maximise effectiveness
What to Expect From Prolotherapy at Our Clinic
If you visit us with persistent heel pain from plantar fasciitis we will
Carry out a detailed assessment of your feet your activities your footwear and previous treatments
Confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of heel pain
Discuss suitable options which may include
Stretching programmes
Footwear advice and insoles
Activity modification
When appropriate ultrasound guided dextrose prolotherapy
During a prolotherapy session a small amount of dextrose solution is injected into the affected area of the plantar fascia. The aim is to stimulate a controlled healing response encouraging tissue repair strengthening the fascia and reducing chronic pain.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Some temporary soreness is normal and usually settles as the healing response progresses.
Ready to Do Something About Your Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis can last for many months and seriously affect your quality of life but you do not have to simply live with it. This recent clinical trial supports what we see in our clinic dextrose prolotherapy is a safe minimally invasive and effective option for stubborn heel pain.
If you have ongoing heel pain that has not improved with rest stretching or insoles and you are interested in a treatment that is supported by research and does not involve PRP we would be pleased to assess whether ultrasound guided dextrose prolotherapy is right for you.
