Foot And Ankle Injections London. What Works And What Does Not
Injections help some foot and ankle problems and not others. For long-standing plantar fasciitis, the commonest cause of heel pain, pooled trials show PRP gives better long-term function than steroid. For midportion Achilles tendinopathy, a large 2021 trial found PRP no better than a sham procedure, so a loading programme comes first. For ankle osteoarthritis, a 2021 trial found PRP no better than saline. A good clinic will tell you which group you are in before offering anything.
Key points
Plantar fasciitis is the commonest cause of heel pain. Pooled randomised trials show PRP gives better long-term function than steroid, without the risk of thinning the protective heel fat pad.
In the ATM trial of 240 adults, published in JAMA in 2021, a single PRP injection was no better than a sham procedure for midportion Achilles tendinopathy at 6 months.
In a 2021 trial of 100 patients in JAMA, PRP was no better than saline placebo for ankle osteoarthritis.
At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, ultrasound-guided joint and tendon PRP is from £595 to £995 per treatment, used only where the evidence supports it.
Heel or ankle pain that will not settle? Message our doctors on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
Where is your pain?
Heel pain
Pain under the heel, worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting, is usually plantar fasciitis. It is common in runners, people who stand for long periods and those who have recently increased activity or weight.
Back of the heel
Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon a few centimetres above the heel, worse in the morning and at the start of exercise, is usually midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Pain right where the tendon meets the heel bone is insertional tendinopathy, which behaves differently.
Deep ankle pain
Aching and stiffness deep in the ankle, often years after a fracture or repeated sprains, may be ankle osteoarthritis.
Pain between the toes
Burning or numbness between the third and fourth toes often comes from a Morton’s neuroma, a thickened nerve, where steroid injection or footwear changes are the usual treatments.
Plantar fasciitis. PRP is a strong option
What to try first
Most plantar fasciitis settles within months with calf and plantar fascia stretching, supportive footwear, load management and time.
When an injection is considered
For pain lasting more than 6 months despite these measures, pooled randomised trials show PRP gives statistically and clinically better long-term improvement in function than steroid. Steroid can ease pain faster, but injecting it into the heel carries recognised risks, including thinning of the heel fat pad and, rarely, rupture of the plantar fascia. Our full guide is PRP for plantar fasciitis.
Want to know if your heel needs an injection? Ask our doctors on WhatsApp.
Achilles tendinopathy. Loading comes first
What the best trial shows
The ATM trial, led from Warwick and published in JAMA in 2021, randomised 240 adults with midportion Achilles tendinopathy lasting more than 3 months to a single PRP injection or a sham procedure, with both groups following the same rehabilitation. At 6 months there was no meaningful difference in tendon function, and the authors concluded the findings do not support PRP for this condition.
What works
A structured, progressive loading programme over at least 12 weeks is the most effective treatment for most people. Steroid injection into or around the Achilles is generally avoided because of the risk of tendon weakening and rupture. Where pain persists despite a well-run programme, we reassess the diagnosis and discuss the options honestly, including referral. More detail is in Achilles and patellar tendinopathy.
Ankle osteoarthritis. PRP is not supported
In a 2021 randomised trial of 100 patients published in JAMA, PRP injections were no better than saline placebo for ankle osteoarthritis at 26 weeks. We do not recommend PRP for ankle arthritis. Footwear, bracing, strengthening, steroid for flares and a surgical opinion for advanced disease are the usual options.
Why we tell you this
A clinic that offers PRP for every foot and ankle problem is not following the evidence. We use PRP where trials support it, such as long-standing plantar fasciitis, and recommend other treatments where they do not. The evidence across conditions is summarised in PRP success rates.
What happens at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness
You are assessed by a doctor who examines the foot, ankle and the way you walk or run, and reviews the plantar fascia or tendon with ultrasound. MRI is arranged at the London centre best equipped for that question if it will change the plan. You then receive a written recommendation, which may be rehabilitation, footwear advice, an injection or a referral.
If PRP is right, blood is drawn from your arm and prepared to a consistent, validated protocol, then injected under ultrasound guidance. The heel may be sore for a few days, and improvement builds over 6 to 12 weeks alongside a loading programme. Runners can also read running injury clinic London and PRP for athletes.
What it costs
At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, there are 3 ways to begin.
The diagnostic package, from £695, covers assessment, imaging and blood tests, and gives you a written diagnosis and plan whatever you decide.
Ultrasound-guided tendon PRP is from £595 to £995 per treatment, where the evidence supports it.
A course of 1 to 2 treatments with rehabilitation is what most plantar fasciitis plans involve, with the exact figure confirmed in writing before you commit. More detail is in joint PRP cost in London.
Ask what your plan would cost. Message us on WhatsApp.
Why people choose The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness
Every treatment is performed by a GMC-registered doctor, and no clinician treats a patient here until they have completed 100 supervised treatments. Every injection is ultrasound guided. We publish where PRP works and where it does not, and we recommend rehabilitation or referral when that will serve you better. We also train other doctors in ultrasound-guided PRP through our Academy.
We see patients at 10 Portman Square in Marylebone and the Light Centre in Belgravia. Across our work we report an 87 percent patient success rate and more than 187 five-star reviews. Our guides for other joints are knee injections, hip injections and shoulder injections.
Book your assessment. Message us on WhatsApp, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call +44 20 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions about foot and ankle injections
Does PRP work for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, for long-standing cases. Pooled randomised trials show PRP gives better long-term function than steroid, without the risk of thinning the heel fat pad.
Does PRP work for Achilles tendinopathy?
The best evidence says not for midportion Achilles tendinopathy. The 2021 ATM trial of 240 adults found a single PRP injection no better than a sham procedure at 6 months. A loading programme is the first-line treatment.
Does PRP help ankle arthritis?
No. A 2021 randomised trial of 100 patients found PRP no better than saline placebo for ankle osteoarthritis.
Is a steroid injection safe for heel pain?
It can ease pain quickly, but heel injections carry risks including fat pad thinning and, rarely, plantar fascia rupture. Steroid around the Achilles is generally avoided.
How much does a foot or ankle injection cost in London?
At The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness, ultrasound-guided tendon PRP is from £595 to £995 per treatment, with a diagnostic package from £695.
How long does plantar fasciitis take to heal?
Most cases settle within months with stretching, footwear and load management. After PRP, improvement builds over 6 to 12 weeks.
This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. All treatments at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness are performed by GMC-registered doctors. Reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor at The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness. Last updated October 2026.