What if PRP injection does not relieve heel pain?

Heel pain can arise from the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, a nerve, a joint, the fat pad, or a stress injury. A PRP injection may not match the structure causing symptoms, and walking load, footwear, calf tightness, or training may continue to irritate the area. Explain whether pain is under the heel or behind it, whether first steps are painful, and whether swelling or altered walking has appeared.

Record walking distance, work or sport demands, morning pain, swelling, and the response after the injection. Use the aftercare advice you were given and avoid suddenly increasing impact exercise. The clinician may check gait, ankle movement, tendon or fascia tenderness, and nerve signs; the plan could include graded loading, footwear changes, imaging, or another treatment. See [Heel Pain](/symptoms/heel-pain/) and [PRP Injection](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/prp-injection/) for related guidance.

Seek prompt care for a hot, red, increasingly swollen injection site, drainage, fever, or rapidly worsening pain. Urgent assessment is needed after a sudden pop with difficulty pushing off, inability to bear weight after injury, new foot weakness, or a cold or discoloured foot.

Ask: Is the pain coming from the fascia, tendon, nerve, or bone? What walking and exercise limits apply? Would imaging help? How should loading progress? What alternatives are reasonable if this injection is not helping?