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- DOI 10.18231/j.ijos.2025.022
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CrossMark
Comparison of steroid injection and dextrose (25%) injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis
- Author Details:
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Rahul Gopalkrishna Puranik
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Vishal Anand Mangwalka *
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Pravin Vasant Londhe
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Mohit Arun Kakad
Rahul Gopalkrishna Puranik
Vishal Anand Mangwalka *
Pravin Vasant Londhe
Mohit Arun Kakad
Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, affecting a significant proportion of population, particularly athletes and middle-aged individuals. While corticosteroid injections have been widely used for symptom relief, concerns over complications have led to exploration of alternative treatments such as dextrose injections.
Aims & Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of steroid injections verses dextrose 25% injections in the treatment of plantar fasciitis by assessing pain reduction, functional improvement, and structural changes in the plantar fascia.
Materials and Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to receive either corticosteroid or dextrose injection. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, the American Foot and Ankle score (AFAS) for functional improvement and ultrasound-based measurement of plantar fascia thickness before and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Results: Both treatment groups showed a significant reduction in pain and improvement in functional outcomes. The steroid group demonstrated rapid pain relief, whereas the dextrose group exhibited sustained long-term benefit. At 12 weeks, plantar fascia thickness was similarly reduced in both groups, with no statistical difference between them.
Conclusion: Both steroid and dextrose injections are effective in managing plantar fasciitis. While steroid provide faster symptom relief, dextrose offers sustained benefits with fewer complications, making it a promising alternative for long-term management.
Keywords: Plantar fasciitis, Steroid injection, Dextrose 25% injection.
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