Symptoms we hear about
- Sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning
- Pain after standing, hiking, or barefoot on hard floors
- Heel pain that eases with movement then returns
- A cortisone shot that helped for a few weeks only
What PRP can treat here
- Chronic plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy (see honest note)
- Chronic ankle sprains / ligament irritation
- Heel pain that returns after cortisone
The honest evidence
Plantar fasciitis is one of PRP's better-supported uses. 2024–2025 meta-analyses (including one pooling 24 randomized trials) found PRP matches cortisone in the first month but delivers superior pain relief from about six months to a year, making it a preferred option for chronic cases. A candid caveat: PRP for Achilles tendinopathy, often grouped with foot/ankle, has weaker evidence, see our honest 'when PRP doesn't work' guide.
Dr. Hock's rule: if the research doesn't support treating your specific problem, he'll tell you, and point you to what actually works.
You may be a good candidate if…
- ·Chronic plantar fasciitis (months of symptoms)
- ·Failed stretching, orthotics, night splints, or cortisone
- ·You want to avoid repeated steroid shots in the heel
PRP is probably not your answer if…
- ·Brand-new heel pain that hasn't had a fair trial of basic care
- ·Achilles tendinopathy, where the evidence is weaker (we'll be candid)
Frequently asked questions
Is PRP or cortisone better for plantar fasciitis?
In the first few weeks they're similar. From about six months out, PRP provides better and longer-lasting relief because it addresses the tissue itself rather than temporarily reducing inflammation. For chronic heel pain, PRP is often the smarter long-term choice.
How long until PRP helps my heel?
Plantar fasciitis often responds a little faster than other conditions, many patients feel improvement within three to four weeks, with continued gains over the following months as the tissue heals.
Does PRP work for Achilles tendonitis too?
We'll be honest: the evidence for PRP in Achilles tendinopathy is weak, high-quality trials haven't shown a lasting benefit over placebo. Dr. Hock will tell you that up front rather than treat something the research doesn't support.