Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Allografts for Tearing in the Plantar Fascia

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis (PF) or plantar fasciopathy is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. 10% of the general population is affected by some severity of plantar fasciopathy. Current standard-of-care methods, both conservative and non-conservative, provide a variety of complications and side effects. Current methods are not cost-effective, with the total annual expenditure of $284 million in PF standard care. The purpose of this observational study is to evaluate the efficacy of Wharton’s jelly (WJ) when applied to defects in the plantar fascia. Materials and Methods: A cohort of nine patients with plantar fasciopathy was identified from a large observational repository for this study. Patient improvement after one application of WJ tissue allograft was assessed over 90 days using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). No adverse effects were reported. Results: Average scores and percent improvement were calculated from the initial application date to the final follow-up. All patients reported improvement in all scales utilized, with the most substantial improvements noted in WOMAC scores. Discussion: Although only a small cohort was observed, the positive results align with current literature that confirms the homologous nature of WJ and other connective tissues, providing a promising option for use in structural defects around the body. Conclusion: Future research is essential to establish Wharton’s jelly as a primary conservative care method in patients suffering from plantar fasciopathy.