If rest, stretching, and shoe inserts haven’t fixed your heel or ankle pain, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be worth a conversation.
By Dr. Tyler Kelly, DPM, FACFAS
Tri-State Orthopaedics
Persistent foot and ankle pain has a way of shrinking your world. The morning walk to the kitchen hurts, your daily run gets shelved, and even standing through a workday becomes something you brace for.
Two of the most common culprits we see at Tri-State Orthopaedics are tendonitis — including Achilles and peroneal tendonitis — and plantar fasciitis. When these conditions linger for months and standard care isn’t enough, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are one option we may discuss.
First, what are these conditions?
Plantar fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot, from heel to toes. When it’s irritated and inflamed, it causes that sharp, stabbing heel pain — classically worst with your first steps in the morning. It’s one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults.
Achilles tendonitis
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. Overuse, tight calves, or a jump in activity can leave it sore, stiff, and swollen — often felt just above the heel and aggravated by walking or running.
Peroneal tendonitis
The peroneal tendons run along the outside of your ankle and help stabilize your foot. When they become inflamed — often after an ankle sprain or repetitive strain — you’ll typically feel pain and swelling on the outer ankle, especially with activity.
The common thread: tendons and the plantar fascia have a limited blood supply, which is part of why they can be slow to heal. PRP is designed to deliver a concentrated dose of your body’s own healing signals right where they’re needed.
What is PRP, exactly?
Platelet-rich plasma is made from your own blood. Platelets are the cells that help you clot and heal, and they carry growth factors that signal tissue to repair itself. The idea behind PRP is simple: concentrate those platelets and place them directly into the injured area to encourage healing.
- Blood draw. We take a small sample of your blood, much like a routine lab draw.
- Spin it down. The sample goes into a centrifuge that separates and concentrates the platelets from the rest of the blood.
- Targeted injection. The concentrated plasma is injected into the painful tendon or fascia, often with ultrasound guidance for accuracy.
The whole visit usually takes under an hour, and because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic or immune reaction is very low.
Who might be a good candidate?
- You’ve had heel, Achilles, or outer-ankle pain for several months.
- Rest, stretching, physical therapy, supportive shoes, or orthotics haven’t given lasting relief.
- You’d like to explore options before considering surgery.
- You’re generally healthy and able to follow a short recovery and rehab plan.
PRP may not be appropriate for everyone — certain blood conditions, active infections, and some medications can affect candidacy. That’s exactly what an evaluation is for.
What to expect afterward
It’s normal to have some soreness or aching at the injection site for a few days — that mild flare is part of the healing response. Most people are advised to ease off high-impact activity for a short period and then follow a gradual return-to-activity or physical therapy plan. Because PRP works by stimulating your body’s own repair process, improvement is gradual; many patients notice changes over several weeks rather than overnight.
Frequently asked questions
Is the injection painful?
Most patients tolerate it well. You may feel pressure and some discomfort during and shortly after the injection, which typically settles within a few days. We’ll talk through comfort options beforehand.
How many injections will I need?
It varies. Some people do well with a single injection, while others benefit from a short series. We’ll tailor the plan to your response and your condition.
Ready to talk about your heel or ankle pain?
The team at Tri-State Orthopaedics can evaluate your condition and help you decide whether PRP or another treatment is the right next step.