Platelet rich plasma, or PRP, is a method of regenerative medicine that uses elements from a patient’s own blood to naturally heal foot and ankle conditions.
Tendon injuries can be painful and a nuisance to daily life. They can make it difficult to walk, exercise, or even stand.
With regenerative medicine, treating tendon injuries is a safe process. You can return to your favorite activities by using PRP therapy to treat your feet and ankles.
Read more about how PRP therapy can help you heal below!
Tendon Injuries and Conditions
Tendons are rope-like tissues that connect muscles to bone.
One of the major tendons in the foot is the Achilles tendon which is located above the heel and attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. There are many smaller tendons at the front of the shin, the bottom of the foot, and along the bones that connect to the toes.
Tendons are prone to injury, particularly in athletes and active individuals, and they can be painful to endure. A tendon injury causes difficulty standing, walking, and playing sports. Swelling and weakness in the foot and ankle are common symptoms of tendon injuries.
There are several possibilities to consider when diagnosing a tendon injury:
- Tendonitis: inflammation of the tendon from overuse or injury
- Acute tear: a one-time event that results in a rupture in the tendon
- Tendonosis: a chronic state of tendonitis that deteriorates the tendon
Because tendons play an important role in keeping the muscles and bones in working order, it is important to treat injuries as soon as possible.
With platelet rich plasma, a form of regenerative medicine, tendon injuries can be resolved with minimal invasion and a faster rate of recovery.
Regenerative Healing with PRP
Platelet rich plasma, or PRP, is used to treat damaged tendons and joints. PRP is made up of two components:
- Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. It is a yellowish, transparent liquid and carries nutrients, hormones, proteins, and waste products throughout the body.
- Platelets are cell fragments found in the blood alongside red and white blood cells. They help stop or prevent bleeding by forming clots and sending signals when a blood vessel is damaged.
Because platelets are rich in proteins called growth factors, they can help heal injuries like sprains and chronic tendon problems.
PRP has a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood and can be 5 to 10 times richer in platelets than a typical sample of blood.
Healing Foot and Ankle Conditions Using PRP Therapy
Common conditions that can be aided by PRP are Achilles tendonitis, long-term weakness and instability from ankle sprains, and tendonosis.
PRP can be an excellent option for those who have acute or chronic tendon issues as well as other foot and ankle conditions. Dr. Frankel can help you determine the best procedure for your condition with a scheduled consultation.
PRP Treatment Process
If you receive PRP therapy, you can expect your podiatrist to draw your blood.
The platelets will be separated from other blood cells through centrifugation, in which the sample is placed in a rotating device and spun at high speed. This process concentrates the platelets into one mass, which will be placed back into the plasma.
Once the PRP is prepared, it can be used in two ways:
- Injection: PRP can be carefully injected into the tissue to speed healing. For cases like Achilles tendonitis, PRP is mixed with a local anesthetic and is applied to the site. PRP will speed up the healing process and reduce pain after several weeks.
- Surgical application: PRP may be applied to injuries during surgery. Podiatrists will prepare the PRP so that it can be stitched into torn tissues and directly aid the healing process.
The entire injection process takes from one to two hours to draw the blood, prepare the mixture, and apply to the site. The surgical application process may take longer depending on the surgery.
Healing from PRP is similar to healing from minimally invasive surgery, in which the patient must rest for the first week or so before starting gentle stretching and low-impact movement.
Benefits of PRP Therapy
Since PRP is a method of regenerative medicine, it’s natural and safe for your body. This means that your body won’t reject the PRP injection since it is composed of your own bodily materials.
Other benefits of PRP include:
- Accelerating the healing process in joint and tendon injuries
- Reducing pain over time in patients with chronic conditions
- Improving foot and ankle mobility and function
- Stimulating collagen production for tendon development
Two strong advantages of PRP therapy are that it reduces the need for anti-inflammatory medication and opioids and it has limited side effects since it is a natural form of healing.
If you experience chronic tendon pain and want to experience the benefits of regenerative medicine, contact Dr. Frankel’s office today to schedule a consultation to determine if PRP therapy is right for you.
Experience the benefits of PRP at Frankel Foot and Ankle.
Dr. Frankel founded Frankel Foot & Ankle to provide patients in the Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey tri-state area with the latest advances in diagnostic technology and treatment for sports medicine conditions, foot and ankle trauma response, and innovative surgical and regenerative approaches. Contact Frankel Foot & Ankle today.
