PRP Injection Foot & Ankle Michigan | Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Quick answer: Prp Injection Foot Ankle Michigan is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

Related Conditions

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

PRP Injection Foot & Ankle Michigan

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a regenerative medicine procedure that concentrates healing growth factors from your own blood and delivers them directly to injured tendons, ligaments, fascia, and joints to accelerate healing. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM offers ultrasound-guided PRP injections for foot and ankle conditions in Michigan at our Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills locations.

What Is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from a small blood draw (30–60 mL) taken at the time of your procedure. The blood is centrifuged to separate and concentrate platelets — the cells responsible for initiating tissue repair. The resulting PRP contains 3–10 times the normal platelet concentration and is rich in growth factors including PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and IGF-1 that stimulate collagen synthesis, cell proliferation, and tissue regeneration.

Foot & Ankle Conditions Treated with PRP

• Chronic plantar fasciitis: PRP outperforms corticosteroid injection in long-term outcomes for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. A single PRP injection provides significant pain relief for 6–12+ months in 70–80% of patients.
• Achilles tendinopathy: Mid-tendon and insertional Achilles tendinopathy responds well to PRP, which stimulates collagen remodeling without the tendon-weakening risk of corticosteroids.
• Peroneal and posterior tibial tendinopathy: Degenerative tendon lesions with neovascularization are amenable to PRP.
• Ankle ligament insufficiency: PRP may reduce healing time for acute Grade 2–3 ankle sprains and support ligament regeneration.
• Osteochondral lesions: Intra-articular PRP reduces pain and inflammation in early to moderate ankle cartilage lesions.
• Plantar fascia tear: Partial tears of the fascia may benefit from PRP when conservative care has stalled.

The PRP Procedure at Balance Foot & Ankle

The procedure takes approximately 45–60 minutes in office. A blood draw is performed, and the PRP is prepared while you wait (centrifugation takes ~15 minutes). Dr. Biernacki uses diagnostic ultrasound in real time to guide the needle precisely to the treatment target — this is critical for accurate delivery and superior outcomes compared to “blind” injections. Local anesthetic is applied to the skin for comfort. The injection itself takes 1–2 minutes. Patients walk out after the procedure; temporary activity restriction for 24–48 hours is recommended.

What to Expect After PRP

A temporary increase in pain is common in the first 5–7 days following PRP — this is the normal inflammatory response that initiates the healing cascade. Pain typically begins improving at 2–4 weeks. Maximum benefit is typically achieved at 8–12 weeks. Some patients require a second PRP injection for optimal results.

PRP vs. Cortisone: Why Dr. Biernacki Prefers PRP for Tendons

Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections reduce inflammation quickly but provide short-term relief only — and can weaken collagen structure in the tendon with repeated use, increasing rupture risk. PRP stimulates true tissue regeneration rather than inflammation suppression, providing longer-lasting results without adverse tissue effects. For tendinopathy, Dr. Biernacki recommends PRP over cortisone for most patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule your PRP consultation at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell, Brighton, or Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Dr. Biernacki offers ultrasound-guided PRP for all foot and ankle tendinopathy conditions.

Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)

If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.