- PRP uses your own blood to promote natural healing
- It's effective for , tendon injuries, and chronic wounds
- The procedure takes about g blood draw and injection
- Results develop gradually over several weeks as tissue regenerates
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses concentrated healing factors from your own blood to repair damaged tissue. It harnesses your body's natural ability to heal—supercharged.
When you're injured, platelets rush to the site and release growth factors that trigger tissue repair. PRP therapy concentrates these platelets to 5-10 times their normal level, delivering a powerful healing boost directly to damaged tissue.
At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute, we offer PRP injections as part of our advanced treatment options for stubborn foot and ankle conditions that haven't responded to conventional therapies.
How Does PRP Work?
The Science Behind the Treatment
Platelets contain over 30 different growth factors and bioactive proteins that promote healing:
- PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor): Stimulates cell growth and blood vessel formation
- TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor Beta): Promotes collagen production
- VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): Creates new blood vessels
- EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Accelerates tissue regeneration
- FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor): Promotes wound healing
When injected into injured tissue, these concentrated growth factors:
- Recruit repair cells to the injury site
- Stimulate collagen production (essential for tendon and ligament repair)
- Promote blood vessel formation (bringing nutrients for healing)
- Reduce inflammation over time
- Accelerate tissue regeneration
What Conditions Does PRP Treat?
Heel Pain Relief
and Tendinosis
Achilles tendon problems are ideal candidates for PRowth factors stimulate repair of damaged tendon fibers and promote healthy tissue regeneration.Other Tendon Injuries
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Peroneal tendonitis
- Extensor tendonitis
Ligament Injuries
that don't heal properly or chronic ankle instability may respond to PRP injections in the damaged ligaments.
For ulcers and other slow-healing wounds, PRP can jumpstart the healing procesrthritis
While PRP can't reverse arthritis, it may reduce pain and improve function in arthritic joints by promoting cartilage health and reducing inflammation.
The PRP Procedure: Step by Step
Step 1: Blood Draw
We draw a small amount of blood from your arm—typically 15-60 mL, depending on the treatment area. This is similar to a routine blood test.
Step 2: Processing
Your blood goes into a centrifuge, which spins it at high speed to separate components:
- Red blood cells (discarded)
- Platelet-poor plasma (removed)
- Platelet-rich plasma (concentrated and collected)
This process takes about 10-15 minutes.
Step 3: Injection
Using ultrasound guidance for precision, we inject the concentrated PRP directly into the damaged tissue. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort during the injection.
Step 4: Recovery
The entire procedure takes about 45-60 minutes. You can go home immediately afterward.
What to Expect After Treatment
Immediate Post-Procedure
- Mild soreness at the injection site is normal and expected
- You may experience increased discomfort for 3-7 days as the healing process activates
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like ibuprofen) for at least a week—they can interfere with the healing response
First Few Weeks
- Gradual improvement in symptoms
- Avoid high-impact activities
- Follow your prescribed rehabilitation program
Weeks 4-12
- Continued healing and tissue regeneration
- Progressive return to activities
- Full benefits often realized by 3 months
Long-Term
Because PRP promotes actual tissue repair rather than just masking symptoms, results tend to be long-lasting. Many patients experience sustained improvement for years.
PRP vs. Cortisone Injections: What's the Difference?
| Factor | PRP | Cortisone | |--------|-----|-----------| | How it works | Promotes healing | Reduces inflammation | | Duration of effect | Long-lasting (tissue repair) | Temporary (weeks to months) | | Number of injections | Usually 1-3 | Limited repeats (tissue weakening) | | Recovery time | Days to weeks | Immediate relief | | Side effects | Minimal | Can weaken tissue, blood sugar effects |
When Each Is Appropriate
Cortisone is useful for quick relief of acute inflammation when you need to function immediately. PRP is better for:- Chronic conditions that haven't responded to cortisone
- When tissue repair (not just symptom relief) is the goal
- Patients who want to avoid repeated steroid injections
- Conditions where steroids may cause tissue damage (like Achilles tendon)
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Most patients receive 1-3 PRP injections, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. The number depends on:
- The severity of your condition
- How long you've had the problem
- Your individual healing response
We'll evaluate your progress after the first injection and determine if additional treatments are beneficial.
Is PRP Right for You?
Good Candidates
- Chronic foot or ankle pain that hasn't responded to conservative treatment
- Tendon injuries (especially partial tears)
- Patients who want to avoid surgery
- Athletes looking to accelerate healing
- Those who've had limited success with cortisone injections
May Not Be Appropriate For
- Active infections
- Blood disorders or clotting problems
- Cancer in the treatment area
- Pregnancy (as a precaution)
- Patients on blood thinners (case by case)
During your consultation, we'll review your medical history and determine if PRP is appropriate for your situation.
What Does Research Say About PRP?
PRP therapy has been studied extensively:
- : Multiple studies ior to cortisone for long-term pain relief
- : Research demonstrates improved healing and return to activity
- Ankle osteoarthritis: Studies show pain reduction and improved function
While research continues, evidence supports PRP as an effective option for many foot and ankle conditions, particularly when other treatments have failed.
Insurance and Cost Considerations
PRP therapy is considered an advanced treatment and may not be covered by all insurance plans. During your consultation, we'll discuss:
- Your specific insurance coverage
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Payment options
Many patients find PRP cost-effective compared to:
- Ongoing medication costs
- Multiple cortisone injections
- Potential surgery and its associated expenses and downtime
Combining PRP with Other Treatments
PRP works well as part of a comprehensive treatment plan:
- Physical therapy: Strengthening and flexibility exercises support healing
- Custom orthotics: Reduce strain on healing tissue
- MLS laser therapy: Enhances cellular healing processes
- Activity modification: Allows tissue to repair without re-injury
Take the Next Step
If you've been struggling with chronic foot or ankle pain and conventional treatments haven't provided lasting relief, PRP therapy may be the answer. This advanced regenerative treatment harnesses your body's own healing power to repair damaged tissue.
At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute, we offer PRP injections as part of our commitment to providing the most effective, cutting-edge treatments available.
📞 Schedule a consultation today to learn if PRP therapy is right for you.