How PRP & Stem Cell Therapy Can Improve Surgical Outcomes

Many people preparing for surgery want to know if there’s anything they can do to heal faster, feel less pain, or avoid a long recovery. Thanks to modern medicine, regenerative therapies make those dreams a reality. Research continues to mount, but the evidence so far is undeniable. Regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells help accelerate tissue repair and improve the body’s healing response. 

Read on to learn how these treatments work, when they are used, and where to find the best podiatrist in Los Angeles who offers regenerative therapies to support faster healing from foot and ankle surgery or injury.

Regenerative Treatments Explained: Platelet-Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapy

Both PRP and stem cell therapy use your own cells to promote healing after surgery or suffering an injury: 

• Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, involves taking a small sample of your blood, which is placed in a spinning device that separates the platelets. These platelets are then injected into the area of injury or the surgical area. The concentration of platelets helps guide tissue repair, encourages new collagen formation, and supports the growth of blood vessels that carry oxygen to healing tissue. 
• Stem cell therapy works differently but for a similar purpose. First, stem cells are collected from bone marrow, fat, or donated umbilical tissue. These stem cells can mature into bone, cartilage, or muscle tissue while also working to reduce inflammation. 

People who have dealt with long-term pain or repeated injuries can also benefit from regenerative treatments. The goal is not just to repair what was damaged but to improve the overall quality of the tissue so swelling fades sooner, less scar tissue forms, return to movement is faster, and the road back to normal life is easier. 

Can Regenerative Therapies Improve Surgical Outcomes? 

Research suggests regenerative therapies make a meaningful difference for most patients. In several studies, surgeons who added PRP during or after procedures reported fewer wound complications, faster wound closure, and healthier soft tissue. Patients also notice less redness, less drainage on the bandage, and a smoother overall recovery. 

Stem cell therapy is linked to better pain control and improved function after orthopedic and nerve surgeries. The science is still growing, but the evidence so far paints a hopeful picture for people who want their recovery not only to be successful, but also to be easier and faster. 

When and How Are PRP or Stem Cells Used? 

The timing of PRP or stem cell therapy depends on what your body needs most before and after surgery. Some people receive injections in the weeks leading up to an operation as a form of prehabilitation, especially if they are getting surgery on a joint, which tends to heal more slowly. 

The goal is to calm chronic inflammation and give the tissue a head start on healing. During surgery, modern foot and ankle surgeons apply PRP or stem cells directly into the area being repaired. After surgery, PRP or stem cell injections can be included in follow-up visits to ease lingering pain, support stronger movement, and help the repaired area heal faster. 

Are Regenerative Treatments Safe? 

Safety is usually the first thing people want to talk about when they hear words like PRP or stem cells. The great news is that PRP is made from your own blood, which means your body already recognizes it, and the risk of rejection or infection from someone else’s cells is very low. Stem cell therapy is also safe when performed in a regulated clinical setting that follows strict guidelines. Some clinics advertise stem cell cures without solid evidence or proper oversight, which can expose patients to contaminated products, unknown cell sources, or unrealistic promises. 

Regardless of which treatment you get, the few possible side effects are virtually the same. Most people feel soreness, warmth, or a dull ache at the injection site for a day or two, along with possible swelling or bruising. Infection at the injection site is possible but rare when proper sterile technique in a clinical setting is used. 

Are PRP or Stem Cell Therapy Right for You?

Anyone with a foot or ankle injury or facing foot or ankle surgery could be a good candidate for regenerative treatments. Before recommending regenerative therapies, your surgeon will review details that can affect how well the treatment works for you, such as age, past surgeries, daily medications, use of blood thinners, smoking habits, and medical conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disease that can affect tissue healing. 

Additionally, people with active infections, certain blood disorders, or a history of cancer may not be the best candidates for PRP or stem cell therapy. The safest way to know whether PRP or stem cells are right for your plan is to talk with the best foot and ankle surgeon in Los Angeles for regenerative therapies.

Finding the Best Podiatrist in Los Angeles for Regenerative Therapies for Faster Healing

Many patients come to us after months of feeling stuck, looking for a way to fully heal without being bounced between different specialists, unnecessary testing, conflicting recommendations, and incomplete answers. At Foot & Ankle Specialty Group, we guide people through regenerative options with the same care we would want for our own families. 

At our state-of-the-art clinic in Beverly Hills, Dr. Soomekh leads our experienced team with a steady, detail-focused approach that helps patients feel understood and heal faster than they expected. His background as a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and his work with athletes, performers, and everyday patients mean he knows how different injuries behave and what it takes to coax damaged tissue back toward strength. 

Ready to heal faster with regenerative therapies from the best foot and ankle surgeon in Los Angeles?