Date of Award
2024
First Advisor
Sarah Snyder
Second Advisor
Susan Mechanic-Meyers
Abstract
Platelet-rich-plasma, or PRP, is a greater than baseline concentration of platelets suspended in plasma. It is an autologous product derived from a whole blood sample and can be administered for the treatment of many different pathologies. In the current study, seven patients suffering from painful, chronic conditions of the foot and ankle received PRP injections prepared by the author of the thesis and administered by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Office notes were obtained for these seven patients, examining their diagnoses, treatment prior to PRP, and outcome following PRP injection. Of the seven, three patients experienced major improvement in pain, two patients experienced minor improvement, and two patients experienced no improvement. PRP operates on principles of regenerative medicine, with a focus on tissue healing rather than replacement, repair, or removal. Future advancements in PRP will require greater standardization of methods and longer study timelines, as both are currently lacking in the literature. However, some promising trends can be identified in existing research, and PRP may ultimately indicate the beginning of a significant evolution in medicine.
Recommended Citation
Wolf, Zeda, "Platelet Rich Plasma: A Study on the Clinical Efficacy of PRP for Chronic Foot Pain" (2024). Senior Theses. 1689.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/sr-theses/1689
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