Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

How does platelet-rich plasma therapy work?

The body has a limited period during which it is dedicated to healing an injury, often referred to as the “inflammation stage” of the injury. After three to six months, the body “gives up” on the injured tissue and shifts its attention to other areas that require assistance. This is referred to as the “chronic injury stage,” where healing cells cease to accumulate in the area, and healing slows or stops.

The healing process of soft tissue problems, such as chronic plantar heel pain and Achilles tendonitis, or non-healing bone and cartilage injuries, can be expedited by injecting cells that promote inflammation. This inflammation raises a red flag to alert the body to the injured tissue and kickstart the healing process.

These essential healing cells are already contained in your blood. Dr. Bob Baravarian creates PRP injections by isolating these healing components of your blood. Dr. Baravarian begins with a simple blood draw. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge to separate its components (platelets, plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells). The platelets, growth factors, and cytokines are then combined into a concentrated healing injection. 

Cytokines are proteins that control inflammation, and growth factors are proteins that (as their name suggests) promote the growth of new cells. The concentrated PRP is injected into the injured area to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.

After the injection, you may experience minor pain for a week or two while the injected cells get to work. Several weeks later, however, the healing benefits begin to reduce inflammation and pain to a noticeable degree.

The benefits of PRP therapy 

Dr. Baravarian was one of the first to adopt PRP for treating foot and ankle conditions. He has also worked directly with scientists and manufacturers to develop new medical technologies.

Dr. Baravarian uses PRP therapy due to its many benefits, such as:

• Accelerated healing: The growth factors released by PRP injection stimulate the recovery of the injured tissue, promoting faster healing and reducing downtime.
• Pain relief: Platelet-rich plasma injections effectively reduce pain by targeting inflammation and supporting the natural repair processes of affected tissues.
• Minimally invasive: Unlike surgical options, PRP therapy requires no incisions. PRP is collected and administered using sterile syringes.
• Reduced reliance on medication: By addressing the root cause of the condition, PRP therapy can reduce the need for pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs, minimizing potential side effects.
• Improved functionality: Patients often experience a restoration of foot function and mobility, enabling them to return to daily activities and enjoy an improved quality of life.

PRP therapy for bone healing and cartilage repair

PRP treatment also shows promise in treating bone fractures and cartilage damage, conditions that traditionally have limited treatment options. The growth factors in PRP can accelerate bone healing, making it a valuable adjunct to surgical treatment for fractures. 

Similarly, in cases of osteoarthritis or cartilage injuries, PRP injections can help alleviate pain, improve joint function, and potentially delay the need for more invasive procedures, such as joint replacement.

PRP application in ligament and tendon injuries 

Ligaments and tendons, critical for joint stability and movement, are prone to injuries that can be debilitating. Traditional treatments often involve lengthy recovery periods, but PRP therapy offers an effective alternative. By injecting PRP directly into the injured site, Dr. Bob can significantly enhance the healing process. 

This process is particularly beneficial as part of the treatment of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and other chronic tendinopathies. PRP can reduce pain and improve function more quickly than conventional methods of treating these problems.

Enhancing surgical recovery with PRP 

Incorporating PRP modalities into surgical procedures has revolutionized post-operative recovery. Applying PRP during surgery can significantly reduce inflammation and promote faster healing of surgical sites. 

This is especially beneficial in complex foot and ankle surgeries, where recovery times can be extensive. Patients treated with PRP during surgery often experience reduced pain, quicker return to function, and improved overall outcomes.

What are the side effects of PRP? 

Following a PRP injection, it is common for patients to experience some discomfort at the site of the injection for up to three days. To manage this discomfort, ice and over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) are typically recommended. In some cases, the treating physician might prescribe more potent analgesics if necessary. It is crucial to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as they can diminish the efficacy of the PRP treatment.

Since PRP therapy involves the use of the patient’s blood, adverse reactions are generally minimal. Bruising around the injection area is a common side effect. Still, like most other side effects related to PRP injections, they are usually temporary and tend to resolve on their own within a few days following the procedure. While complications are rare, there is a slight risk of infection at the injection site and bleeding, particularly for patients on anticoagulant therapy or those with bleeding disorders.

Dr. Baravarian: rich in knowledge

Dr. Bob recognizes that patients lead busy lives and rely on his expertise to alleviate pain and facilitate activity. He takes this mission seriously.

Despite being highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Baravarian only turns to surgery as a last resort. He firmly believes that foot and ankle conditions should be treated as conservatively as possible, turning to more invasive methods only when necessary. Dr. Baravarian’s “conservative treatments” deliver excellent results over 80% of the time. As a bonus, a conservative care approach is often considered the most cost-effective for the patient.

When conservative treatments such as splints, ice, rest, and painkillers are insufficient, he can move on to more advanced minimally invasive treatment options. Those options may include the use of PRP, stem cell therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Dr. Baravarian has decades of experience utilizing regenerative medicine and is an internationally recognized expert in its application to treat ankle and foot pain.

For a consultation, please call (855) 557-5400 or make an appointment online now.

Dr. Bob Baravarian is conveniently located in Los Angeles, near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, providing expert foot and ankle care for patients throughout Southern California. 

PRP FAQs

Platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroid injections: what’s the difference?

Autologous PRP (PRP derived from your blood) offers long-term healing benefits. It is less likely to cause allergic reactions, making it a beneficial option for patients with chronic conditions and those seeking a regenerative approach. Randomized controlled trials have shown slightly better efficacy of PRP over steroid injections over the long term.

However, PRP’s effects can be slow to manifest, and multiple sessions may be required.

On the other hand, cortisone injections offer quick relief from pain and inflammation by delivering potent anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area. Yet, the relief provided by steroid injections is usually short-term, and there are risks of tissue damage and weakening with repeated use.

Is PRP therapy painful?

The injection itself can cause a sensation similar to a standard shot, but because it’s often administered to sensitive or injured areas, it might feel more painful to some people.

During the procedure, a local anesthetic may be used to minimize pain; however, the area may still feel pressure or a stinging sensation.