Ruth Ann Cooper, D.P.M

According to a report in today's Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Reds first baseman, Joey Votto, will receive Platelet Rich Plasma injections (PRP) to heal his injured leg. I have been using PRP on the foot and ankle for many years here in Cincinnati and my patients are experiencing great results.

According to Brian Halpern, MD, a sports-medicine specialist at The Hospital for Special Surgery, "Tendon and ligament healing relies on adequate blood supply and cellular migration. Platelet-derived growth factors are critically involved in this process".

PRP injections help the body regenerate and heal by harnessing these growth factors. To obtain the PRP, a small amount of the patient's own blood is drawn. The blood is then spun down in a centrifuge for a few minutes, which isolates the PRP with growth factors. The PRP isolate is then injected back into the injured area. The goal is to enhance the healing environment by concentrating the essential components of repair from the patient's own blood, thus limiting side effects and facilitating healing. Without PRP, patients with these types of injuries often require invasive surgery, which, of course, carries greater risk and a longer recovery and healing time.

I provide PRP in my office for the treatment of small tendon and ligament tears in the foot and ankle. You can call my office for an appointment to be evaluated if you want to know more about PRP for your foot or ankle problem.