What are the benefits of PRP therapy?

What is PRP Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is a cutting-edge technique that uses the body’s natural healing processes to treat acute foot injuries and chronic podiatric conditions. It works by repurposing the body’s own plasma, which is the liquid portion of blood.

Plasma is comprised of several different parts:

Water

Red and white blood cells

Platelets

Every part of plasma plays a special role in preserving health. Platelets, which facilitate clotting, also contain growth factors that prompt cellular reproduction and regeneration. If present in large quantities, they can even reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of damaged tissue.

Before beginning PRP therapy, your podiatrist takes a small sample of your own blood. It’s placed in a rapidly spinning centrifuge, which separates plasma from red and white blood cells and leaves only a large concentration of plasma behind. This is platelet-rich plasma—blood, but with more platelets than normal.

After a sample of platelet-rich plasma is obtained, it’s put into a syringe and injected into the target area.

Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy alters and accelerates the healing process. Here are just a few benefits of this procedure.

Safety

Unlike prescription medication, using platelet-rich plasma is an autologous substance—it comes entirely from your own body, without any added pharmaceutical compounds.

Efficacy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a recent innovation but has been shown to deliver clear and consistent results in the treatment of foot pain. Estimates vary, but a significant number of patients receiving PRP nationwide—up to 85 percent for various medical issues—report a near-immediate improvement in symptoms.

Versatility

PRP is used to treat a wide variety of conditions. These include traumatic injuries, like a torn or ruptured tendon and pulled ligaments, as well as chronic diseases like osteoarthritis.

Recovery Time

Although the benefits of PRP therapy can last between several weeks and several months, few patients report serious side effects. Mild pain and soreness may be present around the injection site, but there’s rarely any need to take time away from work to recover—most patients can return to their jobs and other regular activities immediately.

Minimal Invasiveness

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is an injection. It doesn’t require surgery or incisions.

Talking to Your Podiatrist About PRP

Platelet-rich plasma therapy has been used to successfully treat many different conditions. However, it’s not recommended for everyone. Before beginning this process, your podiatrist:

Reviews your medical history.
Asks questions about your pre-existing health conditions.
Assesses PRP’s compatibility with your current medications.

In most cases, PRP therapy is almost entirely risk-free, but for some people, there’s a small risk of side effects such as pain, swelling, infection, and potential nerve damage. If you have an autoimmune disease or any other condition that could make it difficult or unsafe to receive certain types of injections, let your podiatrist know during your initial consultation—after reviewing your medical history and concerns, they may either recommend PRP therapy or suggest a better alternative.