According to a study published online in the journal Foot & Ankle International, intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help reduce pain for patients with ankle osteoarthritis (OA). 

The researchers reviewed information on 20 patients (20 ankles) with varus-type ankle OA who received three ankle injections of 2-mL PRP at 2-week intervals under ultrasonographic guidance. At 4-, 12-, and 24-week follow-ups, they noted no serious adverse effects. However, visual analog scale for pain and Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot ankle/hindfoot scale scores significantly decreased from baseline at all time points, and the mean score in the pain-related subscale of the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire significantly improved from baseline to 12 weeks after treatment. The researchers write that "the amount of pain reduction was maximal at 12 weeks after the last injection, and the effect was reduced at 24 weeks." Learn more...