My Achilles Ruture Recovery with PRP
April 13, 2013
Hello all,
I’ve decided to start this blog because there is very little information available regarding the the use of PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) during Achilles rupture surgery. I had done quite a bit of research prior to my surgery about PRP and found very little information about the use of this option. Most of the info I found was more relivaint to tendon tears of muscle related injuries. I guess I was very lucky when I went to my doctor and he told me that he has had very good results with this option and that recovery time is faster. I am now in my 5th week post-op and I have been to the ortho twice; once after 2 weeks and again after the fourth week. Each time I went he said I cannot believe how well I am healing and that I am very far ahead of the curve. After my fourth week I was referred to physical theraphy and both PT’s could not believe how well my incision is healing, the range of motion I have at this point and that I have no noticeable atrophy. They also said that the recoveries they’ve seen with this treatment are very noticeable different than non-PRP patients.
I just want to make this clear: I am not a doctor nor do I benefit in any way if you use PRP. I am only writing because there is so little available on this option and I feel it is helping me tremendously and may help others. You can make your own decisions I am only writing about my experiences.
I will do my best to keep up with this blog as I think this will become more popular surgical option in the furure with this type of injury.
I would also like to mention that I was very lucky and my insurance covered the PRP. It make sense in my opinion if you will recover faster and would therefore have less doctor visits and PT sessions. It is also my understanding that you only heal quicker with this option, meaning you would have the same results in the end, but you just get their sooner. I’m sure there are some doctors on the site who will give their take on this option. I know many people are skeptical since there is one study that was done that mentioned there were not any noticiable benefits from PRP. However, to my knowledge that study did not take into account the concentration of the PRP given to the patients. Concentration is a key element and from what I’ve read makes a big difference.
In regards to my progress, after surgery I was put in a splint for two weeks and then fitted with a boot two weeks after that. When fitted with the boot I was fit at 90 degrees immediately. At week 4 I was allowed partial weight, and will be PWB for one more month. Even though my doctor and PT are saying I’m doing really well they are not rushing me into putting more weight on it at this point. They are just happy with the range of motion and how well I’m healing. They said I will get throught the tail end of the PT quicker since I won’t have to work as hard to get the range of motion and strength back in my calf.
I hope this is somewhat helpful and I’m sorry for the rambling. I would have went back and made this flow better, but the editing options are somewhat limited.
Happy healing,
Dan
April 13th, 2013 at 1:17 am
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April 16th, 2013 at 2:13 am
Dan, if you find any scientific evidence to support PRP for ATRs, many of us would love to see it. So far, your progress is noticeably slower than many modern studies done without PRP, though you may have received more praise than avg from your professionals. But that praise — and astonishment at how awful and messy our particular rupture was — seems to be part of the post-op “therapy” for many OSs (including the one who repaired my first ATR.
For my second ATR, treated non-op, I paid $1200 for 3 PRP injections despite being told clearly that there was no scientific evidence showing that it helps, though it seemed logical. Soon after my injections, the one study you mention was published, showing no benefit compared to saline. My (excellent) OS thought that study was misleading, because saline is know to help, so it’s not a proper placebo(!). (Bet they wouldn’t have charged me $1200 for 3 saline shots, eh?
)
I hope it all goes well for you, and keep us posted, preferably with your own blog here. If I were you, I wouldn’t let them hold you back much slower than the modern excellent protocols, like bit.ly/UWOProtocol . There seems to be no benefit post-op, and maybe a slight harm — as well as a massive nuisance!
April 16th, 2013 at 6:09 am
I had surgery+ PRP too. I see that your Doctor have you on a relatively conservative protocol. In my case, I was asked to go ahead and walk in an aircast boot with no cruthches in less than 2 weeks. Loading the ATR leg early apparently helps in a faster recovery. Also, before the end of the 3rd week, I did not have to visit the Doctor more often as the incision has already healed.
April 16th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Yes my OS is taking a slower than normal route, however it is because my rupture was a-typical. My rupture was at the 7 cm range and there was more muscle tissue involved. Most ruptures are much lower. Sutures in muscle tissue don’t hold as well. I was not told it was a messy rupture, just higher than normal.
My doctor only mentioned one prp treatment. He has not mentioned any more since.
Even if my OS said after two weeks I could walk on it I wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to do that.
July 9th, 2013 at 5:15 am
Hi there,
7 years ago, I completely teared my right Achilles tendon. I got an open surgical op and everything went fine.
Back in April, the 12th, I partially ruptured the left one and got a percutenous operation. I had a cast on for 4 weeks and a moon boot for 4 as well.
Everything was going really well, it wasn’t hurting and I was getting loads of muscle and flexibility when it suddenly broke again while stretching (week 11).
As you can imagine, I was totally destroyed thinking that I had to go through this again especially in summer time.
But well, what could I do….
My surgeon decided it would be a good idea to try a non-surgical treatment: 3 injections of PRP (platelet rich plasma) + cast for min. 6 weeks and then a moon boot for 4 weeks.
I had my 1st injection two days ago and am eager to recover!! I’m just worried the PRP won’t work…has anybody used this treatment successfully??
Tha nks and good recovery to all of you, Mike