Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Case History
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Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Case History
Ross A. Hauser, M.D.
SZ came to Caring Medical in November of 2006 complaining of right heel pain, which she had suffered with since July of that year. It came on suddenly, after wearing moccasins for a time. She was 5’4”, 132 lbs. The pain would range from 3 to 7 on a scale of 10. She would have the worst pain in the morning after getting out of bed. Her pain during the day was completely random, occurring more often when walking or standing on hard surfaces. SZ had seen a podiatrist who had tried a variety of treatments, including ultrasound, aquatherapy and wrapping the area with Ace bandages for 3-4 days at a time.
Upon exam, SZ did not have much tenderness with palpation on the heel or at the spring ligament, but she localized occasional pain at those areas. She was treated at her first office visit with Prolotherapy. Manganese was added to the dextrose Prolotherapy solution to initiate a strong inflammatory response. She had a total of three treatments by the end of 2006.
SZ came to Caring medical for her 4th office visit at the end of January, 2007. She stated that she seemed to get some level of pain relief from the treatments around the end of December, feeling 25 to 50% better at times. But this improvement regressed. At her 4th visit she stated any improvement was minimal. An alternative Prolotherapy treatment option was proposed to SZ, Platelet Rich Plasma. (PRP) It involved using a sample of the patient’s own blood, processing it to separate and concentrate the platelets, and injecting the platelets into the injured area as the Prolotherapy solution. Platelets contain high concentrations of growth factors, which are important in the healing process. SZ decided it was worth a try.
SZ told us that after one month she was “much improved.” She stated that she was 85% better, with only occasional pain of short duration and low intensity. SZ came back to the office 11 months later in December 2007 and was very happy that her heel had continued to feel good, with minimal discomfort. She desired one more PRP treatment to see if she could get rid of the residual pain. She was treated and told to return if the pain persisted.
A follow-up call was made at the end of February and SZ told us that after a period of increased pain from the inflammation the treatment itself caused, she has been completely pain-free for the last three weeks, even after arising from bed. She had had that morning pain in her heel every day for the last 18 months. PRP was the missing piece to solve SZ’s pain puzzle.
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