PRP vs. Cortisone for Heel Pain: What’s Right for You?
If you’ve been dealing with persistent heel pain, especially that sharp discomfort first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while, there’s a good chance someone’s mentioned plantar fasciitis.
It’s one of the most common causes of heel pain—and it can be incredibly frustrating when it lingers despite your best efforts with rest, stretching, or orthotics.
At a certain point, many people start looking into injection options like cortisone (steroid) shots or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
So… which one actually works?
Let’s break it down.
👣 What Is Plantar Fasciitis (and Why Is It So Stubborn)?
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation (and often degeneration) of the thick band of tissue that supports your arch—called the plantar fascia.
Symptoms typically include:
Pain on the bottom of the heel
Stiffness or tenderness with first steps in the morning
Pain that eases during activity but returns later
It’s common in:
People who walk or stand a lot on hard surfaces
Runners and hikers
People with limited ankle mobility or poor footwear
Women between ages 40–60
Treatment usually starts conservatively—things like targeted stretching, foot strengthening, footwear changes, or physical therapy.
But what happens if it’s not getting better?
That’s where injections come in.
💉 Cortisone Injections: The Old Standard
Corticosteroid injections (aka cortisone shots) have been a go-to treatment for years. They reduce inflammation and can provide quick pain relief, especially in acute flare-ups.
Pros of Cortisone:
✅ Quick pain relief
✅ Relatively inexpensive (often covered by insurance)
✅ Widely available and familiar to most doctors
Cons of Cortisone:
❌ Relief is usually short-term
❌ Doesn’t address the root issue
❌ Repeated injections can weaken tissue, increasing risk of fascia rupture or fat pad atrophy
❌ Can delay healing if overused
In short: cortisone may be helpful for immediate symptom relief, but it's not a long-term solution—especially if you’re active and want to stay that way.
🧪 PRP Injections: A Regenerative Alternative
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections use your own blood, spun down in a centrifuge to isolate platelets—tiny cell fragments rich in growth factors that stimulate healing.
The PRP is then injected into the affected area (in this case, your plantar fascia) to encourage tissue repair, not just reduce inflammation.
Pros of PRP:
✅ Targets healing at the cellular level
✅ Fewer side effects—uses your own blood
✅ Longer-lasting results than cortisone
✅ Especially helpful for chronic, degenerative cases
Cons of PRP:
❌ More expensive
❌ May take a few weeks to notice full effects
❌ Requires a skilled provider
❌ Not always covered by insurance ($$$)
Think of PRP as the body’s “repair signal”—great for rebooting healing in tissue that has become stuck in a chronic cycle.
🔬 What the Research Says (2025 Study Summary)
A recent 2025 clinical study out of India compared PRP and corticosteroid injections in 60 patients with plantar fasciitis who hadn’t responded to at least two weeks of conservative treatment.
The highlights:
Both groups saw improvements in pain and function
PRP patients had greater and longer-lasting pain relief, especially noticeable at the 12-week mark
Functional improvements (measured by the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure) were also higher in the PRP group
👉 In short, PRP outperformed cortisone when it came to sustained improvements in both pain and foot function.
🔁 So… Should You Get an Injection?
Ask yourself:
Have you already tried footwear changes, stretching, or strength work with minimal improvement?
Are you hoping to stay active long-term without relying on repeat cortisone shots?
Are you okay with a treatment that might take a few weeks to kick in—but could lead to more lasting healing?
If you answered yes, PRP could be worth considering.
🚨 But Wait—Injections Alone Aren’t the Answer
Here’s the truth no one likes to hear:
Neither cortisone nor PRP works well in isolation.
Even if PRP helps reboot healing, or cortisone reduces inflammation, your fascia is still under the same stresses and loads. Without addressing the underlying issues—like weak foot muscles, stiff ankles, or overtraining—it’ll just keep coming back.
That’s why I always emphasize a comprehensive approach:
✅ Strengthening the foot, ankle, and lower leg
✅ Restoring mobility where it’s limited
✅ Adjusting your movement patterns
✅ Choosing supportive, pain-free footwear
✅ Managing activity levels during flare-ups
Injections can play a role—but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
🦶 How I Help Clients with Heel Pain
As a physio specializing in foot and ankle issues, I work with clients who are:
Trying to avoid surgery
Considering or recovering from injections
Wanting long-term pain relief, not just a temporary fix
Whether you’re thinking about PRP, cortisone, or neither—I’ll help you assess your options and build a personalized plan to get you moving again with less pain and more confidence.
💬 Final Thoughts
Heel pain is frustrating—but you have more options than just another cortisone shot.
PRP is a promising, regenerative treatment that supports your body’s natural healing—but it works best when combined with smart rehab and movement strategies.
If you’re tired of temporary relief and want real results, let’s talk. I’ll help you navigate your options and support you through recovery.