Are you suffering from chronic pain heel pain? Do you have a diagnosis of Achilles tendonitis, Achilles tendonosis or plantar fasciitis? If you've already undergone conservative care for these conditions, but have not gotten better you may be a good candidate for PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma).
What is PRP?
PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma harnesses the body's ability to heal itself. Some time ago, someone discovered that growth factors are abundant in our platelets. When those platelets are concentrated and used to treat injured tissue, the growth factors stimulate and increase the reparative cells in the body. As a result, healing is accelerated.
Platelet-rich plasma is created by taking a patient's blood, concentrating it (spinning it down in a centrifuge), and injecting it back into the patient's injured tissue. In this case, the PRP is injected into the Achilles tendon or the plantar fascia often using ultrasound imaging to guide the injection. Patients frequently report decreased pain and swelling shortly after the injection.
Achilles Tendonitis and Achilles Tendonosis and PRP
PRP is effective in treating chronic Achilles tendonitis (an inflammation of the Achilles tendon) and Achilles tendonosis, a degeneration of the collagen protein that forms the tendon.
Both of these conditions typically occur in runners and other athletes. Achilles tendonosis occurs in athletes who don't give their bodies adequate time to heal from Achilles tendonitis.
Plantar Fasciitis and PRP
Before PRP was used to treat plantar fasciitis, cortisone was used exclusively to bring down the pain and inflammation caused by this condition. While a cortisone injection can provide faster relief, long-term studies have shown it can cause the tissues to tear when used in large doses or over a long period. Other studies have shown similar positive results in using PRP vs. cortisone in reducing heel pain. Therefore PRP is the better choice since it does not cause any long-term side effects.
Patient Testimonial for PRP Treatment
Although you may not hear what you want to hear about your foot condition, you will receive expert experienced gentle care here. Dr. Berg made sure I was comfortable during my PRP treatment. He took considerable time in educating me and asking questions about my condition. He actually listened to me. I was impressed with his extensive diagnostic equipment helping to determine what was actually going on with my foot.
I had been seen by previous podiatrists and Dr. Berg was the only one who actually looked and placed me under examination of my walking gait. ALL of the staff here treated me in a friendly, caring, present manner. How refreshing is that?
I would highly recommend this office and the care of Dr. Berg to anyone suffering foot issues. You will find no better anywhere else. Thank you Dr. Berg and your most excellent staff.
-Susan K.
I saw Dr. Berg for my Achilles tendon. I was diagnosed with tendonosis, which is basically Tendonitis that has gone on for a while. He suggested PRP therapy to help it heal. That’s where they take your own blood, centrifuge it and extract the platelets and then inject it back into your tendon. The process was smooth. I wore a boot for 2.5 weeks and 3 weeks after my injection I have already noticed a huge improvement. I am doing PT to help it along, but I am very pleased with the results!
-Padget D.
