PRP group
The 30 ml blood of participants was collected into an acid citrate dextrose tube under aseptic conditions and subjected to centrifugation at 2000 rpm (soft spin) through a digital centrifuge machine speed control (REMI, R-8 C PLUS). There were three layers of blood; among them, the supernatant layer and buff coat of plasma were again subjected to centrifuge at 3000 rpm (hard spin). The upper two-thirds of the tube containing platelet-poor plasma was discarded, and the lower one-third of concentrated platelet plasma superficial buffy coat was injected into medial calcaneal tuberosity at the most tender point. The PRP preparation method and the way of injection technique were adapted from the previous study [After the injection in both groups, the participants were advised not to engage in any rigorous activity with the affected foot for at least two days and then gradually return to their regular activities. All participants were counselled to follow up in the next visit at three months and six months. The midline and end-line data were recorded at three and six months, respectively.