Platelet-rich plasma, usually shortened to PRP, is a treatment that has moved from sports medicine into foot and ankle care. This guide explains in general terms what PRP is, how it is thought to work, which conditions it is studied for, what a session involves, and the questions worth asking a podiatrist.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
PRP is a concentrated preparation of a person's own blood platelets. A small amount of blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, and the concentrated plasma is then injected into an injured area. Platelets carry growth factors and other proteins involved in clotting and tissue repair, and the idea behind PRP is to deliver more of them to a damaged tendon, ligament or joint.
How does platelet-rich plasma work?
In foot and ankle care, PRP is described as working in a few overlapping ways. It is thought to encourage the growth of new small blood vessels in tissue that heals poorly because of limited blood supply, to stimulate cells that rebuild tendon and ligament fibers, and to calm inflammation. Because the material comes from the person's own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is low.
The research is still developing. Some studies report meaningful pain relief for certain tendon conditions, while others find little difference from placebo injections. Preparation methods vary widely, which makes studies hard to compare.
What conditions can platelet-rich plasma help?
Conditions for which PRP is most often studied or discussed include:
- Plantar fasciitis that has not responded to other care
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tendon and ligament tears and sprains
- Arthritis in the ankle or foot joints
- Slow-healing soft-tissue injuries
It is generally considered after more conventional options, such as rest, stretching, orthotics and physical therapy, have been tried. PRP is not suitable for everyone, and people with certain blood disorders, active infections or those taking blood thinners should discuss it with a physician first.
What to expect when getting platelet-rich plasma
A typical session starts with a blood draw, followed by processing and then an injection into the target area, sometimes guided by ultrasound. The whole visit commonly lasts about an hour. Some soreness at the injection site is common for a few days, and activity may need to be limited for a short period. Benefits, if they come, tend to build over weeks rather than days, and more than one injection is sometimes suggested.
Useful questions for a licensed podiatrist or physician include what evidence supports PRP for the specific condition, how many injections are expected, the full cost, whether insurance covers it, what the alternatives are, and what recovery looks like. Many insurers treat PRP as experimental.
This guide is general information from an independent publication. It is not medical advice and does not replace an examination by a licensed podiatrist or physician.