Foot pain puts a damper on anything you’re doing — leisure, work, and other activities. It can also be stressful and bothersome to deal with the pain. However, even if you can ignore it, it’s not a healthy idea to do so. Foot pain may be an indicator of an underlying problem, such as plantar fasciitis.
If you have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, there are various treatment options available to you. One of them is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which provides excellent results for people suffering from plantar fasciitis. Here are the things you need to know about this therapy.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition characterized by heel pain due to the inflammation or tearing of the plantar fascia.
Active people who are always on their feet may get plantar fasciitis. In particular, runners and those who use inappropriate footwear are vulnerable to this condition. If you have plantar fasciitis, you may experience pain when you take the first few steps upon waking up in the morning. Heel pain may also occur after long periods of standing or sitting.
Lack of treatment may cause the development of other related medical conditions, as well. The most common medical conditions include hip, knee, and foot pain and lower back problems.
Plantar fasciitis can be treated with at-home remedies. Furthermore, platelet-rich plasma therapy typically has excellent results in treating this condition.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelets are a type of cell in your blood responsible for clotting the blood after an injury. They are catalysts of cell reproduction and tissue regeneration. Therefore, they play a critical role in wound healing.
Consequently, PRP therapy boosts the healing of injured ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. In this procedure, a healthcare provider will take a blood sample from the patient and place it in a centrifuge. This machine spins rapidly to separate the plasma from other blood components. This process will yield concentrated platelet-rich plasma, which contains more platelets than average. A doctor will then inject this plasma into the injured area to stimulate and increase the number of healthy cells.
Patients that undergo this therapy are typically the following:
- Injured athletes — Athletes may have chronic tendon injuries like golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, and ligament tears.
- Patients with osteoarthritis — This is one of the courses of treatment suggested to help regenerate worn-down joints.
- Balding men — Studies show that plasma aids in the stimulation of new hair growth after a hair transplant.
- Patients with plantar fasciitis — The therapy promotes healing of the foot’s torn, swollen, or inflamed ligament.
How Long Will Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Take to Work?
Plantar fasciitis usually heals within 6 to 18 months without any surgical intervention. However, during this time, patients’ mobility and ability to be on their feet can be severely impacted. Chronic plantar fasciitis may also develop and cause recurring problems in the future. Foot doctors usually suggest treating the problem early on to prevent the condition from worsening.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy addresses the healing stages necessary to reverse degeneration. Specifically, PRP stimulates the growth and regeneration of cells in the foot.
In studies where PRP therapy was used to treat plantar fasciitis, short-term (2-4 weeks) and intermediate-term (4-8 weeks) effects usually induced slight pain relief in patients. Far more significant clinical outcomes were observed after more than 24 weeks post-procedure. The patients in these studies reported no signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis one year after treatment.
Thus, you will see results from PRP therapy after your cells heal and regenerate. While the speed and intensity of healing and regeneration will depend on the severity of your condition, PRP therapy is a preferred treatment for plantar fasciitis because of its long-term benefits. All in all, PRP therapy takes about six months or longer to work but provides much better results than other conservative treatments.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy With Other Treatments
PRP therapy is considered a minimally invasive procedure. After treatment for plantar fasciitis, this therapy is usually utilized to improve mobility. You can also use home remedies and other treatment methods to help speed up your recovery.
These remedies include icing the foot and doing simple exercises to promote strength and flexibility. It’s important to note that your treatment plan will depend on the condition and severity of your injury, so consult your doctor for the best course of action.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Newark, Wilmington, Middleton, Smyrna, and Dover, DE
Plantar fasciitis can cause significant foot pain and disrupt your life. If you have this condition, you should seek medical help. Luckily, PRP therapy is a great option to manage your condition.
Here at Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers, we want to help you live the life you deserve. Aside from PRP therapy, we also offer interventional pain management, laser therapy, and ultrasound-guided injections.
If you would like to know more about our services or book an appointment, you may call any of our seven locations. Alternatively, you can fill out our secure online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
