Regenerative Relief for Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendinopathy with Prolotherapy

What the Research Reveals

Recent randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews support the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided prolotherapy for chronic plantar fasciitis. Compared to corticosteroid injections, prolotherapy showed superior pain reduction and functional improvement at 120 days, whereas corticosteroid benefits diminished over time. For Achilles tendinopathy, data from multiple case series and one RCT—including over 338 patients—suggest substantial patient satisfaction, with 50–90% reporting positive outcomes, and minimal adverse events. Overall, evidence indicates that prolotherapy is a safe and effective option for both conditions, producing equal or better long-term results than alternative conservative treatments.

What’s Involved in the Procedure

During your appointment at the Adelaide Heel Pain Clinic, you’ll receive a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of the affected area. Once your condition is visualized, we use a local anaesthetic to numb the region. A dextrose solution is injected directly into the site of pathology—be it the plantar fascia insertion or Achilles tendon. The treatment typically involves two to three sessions, spaced over several weeks, to promote tissue healing and structural reinforcement. The use of ultrasound guidance ensures that the injections are precisely delivered where needed. Most patients experience only temporary discomfort over the first 24 hours and no serious side effects—a rate significantly lower than that for steroid injections.

Superior to Cortisone: Better Long-Term Outcomes & Safety

Unlike corticosteroid injections, which may offer quick but short-lived relief—and carry risks such as tissue atrophy, depigmentation, and tendon rupture—prolotherapy promotes structural repair and sustained recovery. Steroid injections, particularly around the Achilles tendon, have documented adverse effects in up to 9% of cases for atrophy and 1% for rupture, whereas prolotherapy shows a side-effect rate of less than 1%, largely limited to mild transient needle-site soreness. By supporting natural tissue regeneration, prolotherapy offers superior long-term outcomes and a safer profile for managing chronic heel and Achilles tendon pain.