PRP Injections

We understand that life can’t always stop when you have foot pain. There are work commitments, family obligations, plus all of the fun activities you would like to enjoy. Chronic heel pain is a common foot complaint we hear from our patients. It often stems from plantar fasciitis, an injury to the plantar fascia tendon on the bottom of the foot. Our goal is to help our patients live free of foot pain. One treatment method we provide for chronic heel pain and tendon injuries like plantar fasciitis is a therapy involving platelet-rich plasma or PRP injections.

The Science Behind PRP Injections

PRP is an emerging new therapy for foot pain with great promise as it relates to healing. It is a method that has been used already for many years to promote the healing of difficult wounds, but it has also been used to aid the healing process in tendon injuries.

Platelets are found in your blood and are known to contain proteins called “growth factors” that speed up the healing of injuries. PRP is a blood mixture with a high concentration of platelets. This plasma can be injected directly into your body at the source of your pain, which increases the amount of growth factors in the area. It is believed the extra growth factors stimulate tissue regeneration and ensure that your body has enough of the proteins it needs to help the injury heal.

For the procedure, a certain amount of your blood will be drawn and placed in a centrifuge for around 15 minutes. The blood is spun at a very high speed to separate its components. The part of the blood that is filled with platelet-rich plasma is then separated, put into a syringe and injected into your body. Ultrasound is most often used to ensure that the injections are accurately placed. One of the greatest benefits to this type of treatment is that the injection is purely taken from your own blood; there is minimal risk for any side effects or chance that your body will reject the PRP.

Is PRP Right For You?

Our office is dedicated to providing the most effective treatment options available to our patients and we have confidence in the PRP therapy for certain cases. With a low level of risk, it is a great addition to our other conservative treatment methods. If your heel pain has not responded to other methods of treatment, our PRP therapy may be the answer to bring relief to your pain.

This procedure may speed up the recovery time for chronic tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and acute injuries like tissue ruptures. If you have been living with foot pain and chronic heel pain, contact Capital District Podiatry to discuss this type of treatment. We are foot care experts you can trust to provide the answers you need, and if PRP therapy could be an option for you, our well-trained staff will make sure you are informed and cared for throughout the process. We have locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY to serve you. Call our office at (518) 273-0053 or request an appointment online.