Does PRP work for plantar fasciitis and stubborn heel pain?
Reviewed by The Wellness Team.
PRP is one of the best-studied injections for chronic plantar fasciitis. A 2025 meta-analysis of 24 randomised trials and 1,653 patients found PRP gave better pain control than steroid injection at three to six months and better foot function at three, six and twelve months. It suits heel pain that has lasted months despite stretching, footwear changes and physiotherapy.
Key points
- Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, and research shows it is usually a degenerative problem rather than pure inflammation.
- A 2025 meta-analysis of 24 randomised trials found PRP superior to steroid injection for foot function at three, six and twelve months.
- A 2020 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found PRP gave better pain control than steroid injection from three months, lasting up to one year.
- Stretching, supportive footwear and orthoses remain the first steps, and PRP suits heel pain that has not settled with them.
- The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led tendon and soft tissue PRP from £595.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is pain from the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel to the toes. The classic sign is sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after sitting, easing slightly with movement and returning after long periods on the feet.
The name is slightly misleading. Imaging and tissue studies show that long-standing plantar fasciitis is usually a degenerative problem, with thickened, disorganised tissue rather than active inflammation. That finding explains why anti-inflammatory treatments often give only short-lived relief, and why treatments that support repair have attracted so much research.
Ask a doctor about your heel pain on WhatsApp and tell us how long your symptoms have lasted.
Does PRP work for plantar fasciitis?
PRP for plantar fasciitis has one of the stronger evidence bases of any PRP use. A 2025 meta-analysis of 24 randomised controlled trials and 1,653 participants compared PRP with steroid injection. PRP gave superior pain control in the medium term, at three to six months, and superior foot function scores at three, six and twelve months.
Earlier research points the same way. A 2020 meta-analysis of 15 studies in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found PRP superior to steroid injection for pain at three, six and twelve months, with no short-term advantage for steroid. A 2025 meta-analysis of eight trials and 599 patients concluded that PRP shows promise in improving function and may give better pain relief than steroid injection.
How does PRP compare with a steroid injection for heel pain?
PRP and steroid injections both treat plantar fasciitis, but they behave differently over time. Pooled trials show little difference in the first month, with PRP pulling ahead for pain from around three months and for function out to a year.
Steroid injections into the heel also carry specific considerations. Repeated injections can thin the protective fat pad under the heel and, rarely, weaken the plantar fascia itself. PRP, prepared from the patient's own blood, avoids these concerns and can be repeated when clinically appropriate. Read our guide to PRP or steroid injection for tendon pain for the wider comparison.
Book your free suitability review on WhatsApp for a doctor's view on your heel.
Who is a good candidate for PRP for heel pain?
Good candidates for PRP for plantar fasciitis have heel pain that has lasted at least three months and has not settled with first-line care. Typical features include the following.
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after rest.
- Symptoms lasting more than three months.
- Limited improvement with stretching, supportive footwear, insoles or physiotherapy.
- A wish to avoid repeated steroid injections into the heel.
Heel pain has other causes, including nerve irritation, stress fractures and inflammatory arthritis. A doctor confirms the diagnosis first, and ultrasound can show thickening of the plantar fascia.
What about Achilles tendon pain?
Achilles tendon pain is a related problem that runners and active adults often bring to clinic. The evidence for PRP in Achilles tendinopathy is more mixed than for the plantar fascia, so our doctors assess each case individually and often prioritise a structured loading programme first. PRP may be considered alongside rehabilitation where symptoms persist.
What happens during a heel PRP appointment?
A heel PRP appointment takes around 45 to 60 minutes. A doctor takes a full history, examines the foot and confirms the diagnosis. The Online GP by The Wellness offers doctor-performed diagnostic ultrasound in the same Marylebone clinic, which shows the plantar fascia clearly.
A small blood sample is processed in a closed, medical-grade system, and the doctor injects the PRP into the affected area under sterile conditions. A temporary increase in soreness for a few days is common, because PRP starts a controlled healing response. Most patients walk out normally and are advised to reduce high-impact activity for a short period.
Request your heel pain plan on WhatsApp and a doctor will outline the next steps.
How long does PRP take to work on heel pain?
PRP usually takes four to eight weeks to show clear benefit for plantar fasciitis, with continued improvement over three to six months. Most patients need one or two injections. Calf and plantar fascia stretching, supportive footwear and a gradual return to running or long walks remain important parts of recovery.
How much does PRP for heel pain cost in London?
Image-guided injections at Harley Street clinics commonly cost £780 to £900 or more per injection. The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led tendon and soft tissue PRP from £595. Read our full guide to PRP joint injection costs in London.
How does the free suitability review work?
The free suitability review is a doctor's honest opinion before any appointment. Send a short description of your heel pain, how long it has lasted, what treatment you have tried and any scan reports through WhatsApp. A GMC-registered doctor reviews the case and either approves you for a consultation or recommends a more suitable route.
Start your free heel review now, call +44 20 3951 3429, or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is PRP better than a steroid injection for plantar fasciitis?
PRP gives better pain control than a steroid injection for plantar fasciitis from around three months, according to pooled randomised trials. A 2025 meta-analysis of 24 trials also found PRP superior for foot function at three, six and twelve months.
How many PRP injections do I need for plantar fasciitis?
Most patients need one or two PRP injections for plantar fasciitis, combined with stretching and supportive footwear. Benefit usually builds over four to eight weeks.
Can I walk after a PRP injection in my heel?
Most patients walk out of the clinic normally after heel PRP. A short period of reduced high-impact activity is usually advised while the healing response settles.
Where can I have PRP for heel pain in London?
The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led tendon and soft tissue PRP from £595 at 4 Baker Street, Marylebone, London.