Functional outcome of surgical management of calcaneal spur by excision and autologous platelet-rich plasma injection

Abstract

The calcaneal spur is also known as an enthesophyte which is a bony outgrowth from the calcaneum at the plantar fascia insertion. Treatment aspect ranges from initial conservative methods, invasive techniques to surgical excision of the spur in cases which are not responding to any other alternative methods. This article aims in evaluating the functional outcome of calcaneal spur excision coupled with a dose of autologous platelet-rich plasma injection in recalcitrant cases of the calcaneal spur. A total of 42 cases of confirmed calcaneal spur cases were recruited for the study. All participants were offered with calcaneal excision with a dose of autologous platelet-rich plasma injection. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and post-operatively with VAS and FFI scores at the end of the 1, 3 and 6 months. The patients who received calcaneal spur excision along with a single dose of autologous platelet-rich plasma injection reported statistically significant pain relief at the end of 6 months while comparing with the pre-operative VAS score (p = 0.003) and FFI score showed a statistically significant functional outcome between both groups at the end of 6 months (p <0.001). Surgical removal of calcaneal spur along with a dose of an autologous platelet-rich plasma injection serve the better management for calcaneal spur and improves the functional quality of life.