Being podiatry specialists, foot pain treatments are something we are intimately familiar with. We see patients experiencing all sorts of pain in the feet and ankles. And sometimes, the treatment that offers the greatest chances of relief is platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. The therapy is offered as a series of injections.
You may have already heard about PRP injections as aesthetic treatments for things like hair loss and facial rejuvenation. But the injections do have a role to play as foot pain treatments. Beyond Podiatry and our many branches, including the Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute, offer PRP injections when appropriate.
Here’s what you should know about PRP injections and foot pain treatments:
What They Actually Are
PRP therapy is an injection therapy that utilizes the patient’s blood plasma for healing purposes. Human blood contains red and white blood cells along with plasma and a long list of growth factors. It is those growth factors that we’re after for therapeutic purposes.
A concentration of platelets and growth factors stimulates natural healing processes. When utilized correctly, PRP injections can help relieve foot and ankle pain associated with soft tissue injuries.
Perhaps you’re planning to visit the Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute due to an Achilles tendon injury. We get it. The pain you’re experiencing is inconvenient and a nuisance, at best. At worst, it can seriously impact your quality of life. If PRP injections look like your best option for finding pain relief, they are available at Beyond Podiatry.
What the Procedure Looks Like
A big advantage of utilizing PRP injections as foot pain treatments is their minimally invasive nature. The treatment is known as an injection therapy because the healing material is put in place through a simple injection. The entire procedure is efficient, quick, and no more painful than a blood draw.
To start things off, a doctor conducts a standard blood draw on the patient being treated. The blood is subsequently processed in a centrifuge to isolate platelets and growth factors. The resulting concentrate is then ready for injection at the injury site.
A topical anesthetic is given to numb the skin. Then, using ultrasound, the doctor will place the needle at the most appropriate spot where the concentrated platelets and growth factors will be injected. That’s it. The needle is withdrawn and the injection wound bandaged.
What You Can Expect
Patients do tend to experience minor pain as a result of the injection. Injection pain comes with a territory. The good news is that it tends to subside in a day or so. As for pain relief from the soft tissue injury, you’ll begin to notice changes as your body heals itself.
The amount of relief you experience will be determined by how your body responds to the injections. Some patients experience adequate relief with just one injection. Others need multiple injections to get the relief they want.
As for side effects, we’ve already talked about injection site pain. Also note that every injection carries with it some risk of infection. It’s not a big risk, but still one you should know about. PRP injections rely on your own blood, so there is very little risk of any serious complications.
You have options as far as foot pain treatments go. If you’re experiencing pain because of a soft tissue injury, PRP injections might be something to consider. Make an appointment to visit Beyond Podiatry as soon as you’re ready. One of our podiatry specialists will be happy to discuss PRP injections with you.
