Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment is an advanced therapy that uses an enhanced form of a patient’s own blood to accelerate healing of their soft tissue and bone injuries.

How Platelets Help Healing

Human blood is comprised of both fluid (plasma) and miniscule solids: red and white blood cells, and platelets—which contain growth factors that are essential to the healing process. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is blood that has been amplified in a lab to contain 5-10 times the amount of platelets, which can speed up the body’s natural healing process.

How Does PRP Work?

First, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, and then rapidly spun in a centrifuge which separates and concentrates the platelets. Using ultrasound guidance, the podiatrist injects this enhanced solution of concentrated platelets back into the patient in the affected site. These platelets go to work by releasing growth factors that increase and stimulate restorative cells while boosting the body’s anti-inflammatory response. All of this expedites the body’s process of healing itself.

What Conditions Do Podiatrists Treat With PRP Therapy?

PRP treatments have been used for decades in healing, and since it uses the patient’s own blood, it can be considered safe and quite effective in treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinopathy & other tendon issues & injuries
• Ankle ligament injuries (i.e., sprains, strains)
• Bursitis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Muscle injuries
• Post-surgical tissue healing

Call your podiatrist for more information about PRP therapy, and to discuss the possibility of using it to help your painful condition or injury.