Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Foot and Ankle Injuries: What to Expect

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What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that concentrates the growth factors found naturally in your blood to accelerate tissue healing. A small blood sample is drawn, placed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet-rich plasma layer, and injected into the injured tissue. PRP has gained significant traction in sports medicine and orthopedics for conditions where standard treatments have been insufficient.

Conditions Treated with PRP in Podiatry

Plantar fasciitis is the most commonly treated foot condition with PRP, particularly in patients who have failed multiple corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics. Achilles tendinopathy — both mid-substance and insertional — is another primary indication where PRP shows promising evidence. Peroneal and posterior tibial tendinopathy, plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose disease), and slow-healing foot and ankle ligament injuries are also treated with PRP at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan.

What the Evidence Shows

The evidence for PRP in plantar fasciitis is generally positive, with multiple randomized controlled trials showing superior outcomes compared to corticosteroid injection at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up — though corticosteroids provide faster initial pain relief. For Achilles tendinopathy, results are more mixed, with some trials showing benefit and others showing equivalence to saline. PRP appears most effective for degenerative tendon conditions that have failed conventional management rather than as a first-line treatment.

What to Expect from the Procedure

PRP injections require no special preparation. The blood draw and centrifugation take approximately 15 minutes. The injection is performed with ultrasound guidance for precision into the affected tissue. Post-injection soreness lasting 3-7 days is typical as the inflammatory healing response is activated — this is a feature, not a complication. Activity restriction for 2-4 weeks following injection is typically recommended to allow the healing response to proceed without mechanical disruption.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

PRP is currently not covered by most insurance plans in the United States due to its classification as experimental or investigational by many carriers. Costs vary by provider. Discuss the expected cost, realistic outcomes for your specific condition, and how PRP fits into your overall treatment plan during a consultation at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.