My nurse has plantar fasciitis in both feet, though her left is worse than her right. I know, by the end of the day, she’s hobbling around and in a lot of pain and has to sleep with an ice pack on her feet at night. I can’t imagine what she has to endure and I’m very thankful I don’t have that problem.
This has been going on for quite some time though when she was pregnant with her girls, the pain only got worse.
She has seen a podiatrist for treatment options but our own neuro radiologist (who is AN EXCELLENT DOCTOR) offered to do a PRP injection on her.
A PRP injection is a platelet-rich plasma injection.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a patient’s own concentrated platelets. PRP contains a large number growth factors. These growth factors stimulate healing.What are the goals of a PRP injection?
When PRP is injected, it can aid the body’s natural healing of injuries. The goal is not only to relieve symptoms but to create actual healing. In some cases, PRP may reduce the need for medication and/or surgery.
She wanted me to accompany her and I went. I knew I would feel awkward, and I did, but I went because she’s the daughter from another mother and I wanted to be there for.
I watched as a fellow nurse drew her blood. She seemed nervous. I’ve never drawn blood (thank goodness), but I can imagine it’s nerve wracking to draw blood on a fellow professional. I know my nurse has had to draw blood from our doctor before and she said she was really nervous.
After her blood was drawn, it was put into a centrifuge and spun at high speeds to separate the platelets from the blood.
It was fascinating to watch the nurse put together a sterile environment with all of the syringes he would need for the procedure. I helped, but mostly I feel like I was in the way. But it didn’t seem to bother the doctor that was there with her.
When it’s done, the liquid that has been separated from the blood looks like thick urine making really thick blood.
The doctor numbed her up and then injected her platelets into her foot. The doctor’s nurse helped to distract my nurse but I was left to watch the actual procedure. He was repeatedly stabbing her in the same area while slowing injecting the platelets.
It was a little disturbing to watch but fascinating at the same time.
After it was over, I brought her the wheeled knee walker she will be using to get around for the next two weeks as the doctor has recommended that she not be on her feet for two weeks, after that, she can walk around but will need to wear a boot.
She will be back next week to help with clinics, it will be interesting to see how she navigates around the clinic and helping patients with any surgeries we schedule.
It’s times like that, when I get to watch procedures, that I’m thankful that my job doesn’t require any type of blood draws or other procedures. Not because I can’t do them, I’m sure with training and practice I could, but because I really don’t WANT to that sort of stuff on people.
I’m a spoiled medical assistant, no doubt about.
Write From Karen 