Platelet Rich Therapy Treatment
Chronic foot and ankle pain can interfere with everything from exercise routines to everyday activities. Whether you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, arthritis, or a stubborn soft tissue injury, healing can sometimes take longer than expected. At Lakeview Clinic, podiatrist Dr. David Arens now offers Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, an innovative regenerative treatment designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
PRP therapy uses your body’s own healing components to target injured tissue. Your blood is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors. These platelets are then injected directly into the injured area to stimulate repair and regeneration.
According to clinical literature in orthopedics and sports medicine, PRP has shown encouraging outcomes in treating two of the most common podiatric conditions, chronic tendon injuries and plantar fasciitis. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals such as The American Journal of Sports Medicine and Foot & Ankle International have demonstrated improved pain scores and functional outcomes in patients receiving PRP for chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy compared to corticosteroid injections over longer-term follow-up. While results vary by patient and condition, PRP is widely recognized as a promising regenerative option in foot and ankle care.
How PRP Works
PRP therapy performed at Lakeview Clinic involves:
- Blood Draw: Approximately 60–180 mL of blood is drawn from your arm.
- Processing: The blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate platelets and beneficial growth factors.
- Injection: The platelet-rich plasma is injected into the targeted soft tissue or joint area.
The full process takes approximately 30–45 minutes.
Because PRP uses your own cells and tissues, the risk of rejection or contamination is extremely low. The goal is to restart and enhance the body’s natural healing cascade which is particularly helpful in chronic conditions where healing has stalled.
Conditions Commonly Treated in Podiatry
PRP therapy may be considered for:
- Chronic plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis or tendinosis
- Peroneal tendon injuries
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Ankle ligament injuries
- Mild to moderate foot and ankle arthritis
- Other chronic soft tissue conditions of the foot and ankle
Dr. Arens carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether PRP is an appropriate treatment option.
What to Expect After Treatment
PRP stimulates an inflammatory healing response, so mild discomfort following the injection is expected. Possible short-term effects may include:
- Mild pain or soreness at the injection site
- Bruising
- Temporary fatigue or low-grade fever
- Body aches
Healing typically begins within the first 4–6 weeks. Many patients notice improvement in symptoms and mobility within 4–8 weeks, though complete healing may take up to 9–12 months depending on the condition.
Some patients may require 2–3 treatments to achieve optimal results. Progress is usually assessed at least six weeks after the first injection. As with any medical procedure, results cannot be guaranteed.
Is PRP Right for You?
PRP therapy may be a valuable option if:
- Conservative treatments have failed
- You wish to avoid or delay surgery
- You are seeking a regenerative, non-surgical approach
- You prefer treatment using your body’s own healing properties
The best way to determine candidacy is through a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Arens.
Important Payment Information
PRP therapy at Lakeview Clinic is considered an elective regenerative procedure.
This service is not billed to insurance, and payment is required upfront at the time of treatment.
Patients are informed of the full cost prior to the procedure and will review and sign a detailed consent form outlining risks, expectations, and financial responsibility.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are experiencing chronic foot or ankle pain and are interested in learning more about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, contact Lakeview Clinic Podiatry to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Arens.
A personalized evaluation will help determine whether PRP is appropriate for your condition and healing goals. Regenerative medicine is changing the way we approach chronic musculoskeletal pain, and PRP therapy may be an option to help you get back on your feet.
David J. C. Arens, DPM, FACFAS
Podiatrist, Dr. David Arens, sees patients at Lakeview Clinic in Waconia and Chaska.
His practice involves all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. He performs surgery of all foot and ankle conditions ranging from bunions and hammertoes to fractures and chronic ankle pain.