PRP Specialist

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma is plasma from your own blood. Your plasma is made up of many components, and platelets are among the most essential. Your platelets have growth factors that aid in healing and fresh cellular growth. Those growth factors can help regenerate tendons and ligaments, and possibly even heal small fractures.

Your Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute podiatrist takes a small amount of blood from your arm, similar to any standard blood draw. Your blood goes into a centrifuge for about 15 minutes. The centrifuge spins your blood at high speeds to isolate the plasma, and then concentrate it.

Your podiatrist can use PRP therapy in a couple of ways: either as an injected therapy or as a supplement to surgery. In both cases, PRP can help your injury heal faster and more effectively.

What is PRP treatment like?

It depends on why you're having the PRP therapy and whether it's part of a surgery. For injected PRP, your podiatrist may use local anesthesia or a PRP/anesthesia blend to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Your podiatrist may use ultrasound imaging to help them precisely inject the PRP just where you need it the most.

For PRP during surgery, your podiatrist usually adds the PRP after your surgical repair is complete or toward the end of the repair. A PRP infusion into your tendon, ligament, or other tissue helps reinforce your surgical repair and can allow you to recover faster.

How soon will I notice results after PRP therapy?

Every patient is different, and your Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute podiatrist can give you specific information about your particular injury. Many patients notice that they're healing faster and more effectively after just a few weeks, but you may need longer to see results if you have serious foot or ankle damage.

How many PRP therapy treatments will I need?

If you're having PRP therapy as a part of surgery, it may be a one-time treatment. If you're having injected PRP therapy to aid in the healing process, you may get the most benefit from a series of treatments. For example, many patients get maximum results from three PRP treatments, each one spaced 2-3 weeks apart.

Use the online scheduling tool or call now to make your appointment at the Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute location closest to you.