What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a therapeutic treatment that is made from your own blood. Your blood has red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Platelets not only help clot blood when you get cut, but they also have special growth factors that are essential for wound healing and tissue repair. PRP is created when a patient’s own blood is drawn and put in a centrifuge and spun. The gravity from the rapid spin separates the platelets and plasma from the red blood cells. The platelet rich plasma is then drawn up into a syringe and injected back into the symptomatic areas of the patient.
PRP is a natural regenerative treatment that offers many benefits with little to no downtime. It is a great treatment on its own, or often it can be combined with other injections like cortisone or laser therapy treatments
What does Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) do?
PRP works by jump starting the body’s inflammatory process. Injecting these concentrated growth factors into an injured area triggers the “inflammation stage” or natural healing process. Once triggered these growth factors can stimulate collagen production, encourage cell division, and bring the body out of a harmful chronic inflammatory state.
Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) safe?
Because PRP is made entirely from your own blood, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction or rejection. Since no medications or foreign substances are injected, PRP is considered a safe, natural treatment option for many patients.
what conditions can Platelet-rich (prp) treat?
Platelet-Rich Plasma
At Foot First, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is commonly used to help treat a variety of conditions and support the body’s natural healing process, including:
Achilles Tendonitis
Arthritis
Sports Injuries
Tendon Injuries
Accelerating Surgical Healing
Scar Tissue
How many treatments of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) do I need?
The number of PRP treatments depends on your condition and how your body responds to therapy.
For patients using PRP to enhance surgical healing, we typically recommend one treatment at the time of surgery to jump start the healing process. Depending on your recovery, a second treatment may be recommended two months.
For injuries or chronic inflammatory conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or arthritis, we generally recommend a series of three PRP injections spaced 4-6 weeks apart, to achieve the best results.
Younger, healthier patients often require fewer treatments because their blood contains higher concentration of growth factors, and their tissues tend to respond more efficiently to the healing process.
How long does PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) last?
How long a PRP injection lasts is dependent on the condition it is used to treat.
When using PRP as an adjunct to surgical healing the patient should not need any more treatments unless abnormal scar tissue or pain is present.
When using PRP for injury or inflammatory conditions, the results may be permanent. This is because the affected tissues are able to regenerate with the treatment. However, all tissues are subject to re-injury, overuse, general wear and tear, and aging.
What is the cost of PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP)?
The cost of PRP is unfortunately not covered by insurance. The cost of the treatment depends on the amount of PRP and the number of treatments needed. Please reach out through our contact us button if you would like to request more information.
Thinking About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
If you’re dealing with injury, inflammation, or recovering from surgery, PRP may be a natural and effective way to support healing. Take a moment to consider your symptoms and goals—then let’s talk about whether PRP is the right fit for you.
Ready to learn more? If you're experiencing foot pain, chronic inflammation, or are interested in learning whether Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is right for you, schedule a consultation through our Request Consultation page or call (847) 352-9221.