Riassunto dello studio

8 randomized controlled trials containing a total of 444 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were included in this meta-analysis comparing dextrose prolotherapy to other interventions, such as exercise, platelet-rich plasma injection, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. The pooled outcomes of interest included pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Foot Function Index (FFI), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS), and plantar fascia thickness. Dextrose prolotherapy provided a significantly greater reduction in plantar fascia thickness vs. comparators, as well as a greater improvement in foot function in the first 6 months. Whilst overall pooled pain scores were not different between groups, dextrose prolotherapy demonstrated significantly better pooled pain scores vs. nonactive interventions such as saline injection and exercise only.