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PRP Injections (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

The most advanced regenerative injection treatments for treating foot & ankle conditions. Before you consider ankle surgery, fusion or replacement, consider the world’s leading stem cell and PRP injection treatments.


What is PRP Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a revolutionary procedure that uses components of the body’s own blood cells to stimulate the natural healing process in certain orthopedic conditions. The body’s first response to any soft tissue injury (ligaments and tendons) is to deliver platelet cells. Filled with healing and growth factors, platelets jump-start the repair process and attract the essential aid of stem cells. PRP therapy’s natural healing process accelerates the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets through a simple injection. It provides effective pain relief and faster healing, and it can eliminate the need for surgery and prolonged recovery. Tendons, ligaments, and cartilage are vascular structures made up of collagen fibers. When damaged, platelets and other healing factors enter these areas through the blood to repair or create new collagen fibers. A number of factors can inhibit natural healing of these tissues, especially scar tissue from previous injuries or underlying blood flow issues. Anti-inflammatories and other pain medications are unable to solve these problems, leaving the damaged tissue unaddressed and allowing for further deterioration. For a PRP injection, your doctor will use a specialized centrifuge to spin your blood for separating and concentrating platelets and growth factors. There is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection because only your own blood components are used. When the PRP is prepared, your doctor will then inject the PRP precisely into the injured area between tightly packed collagen fibers. The PRP can even be injected into small tears that may not appear in an MRI. Once injected into the area of injury, the platelets and growth factors are activated and recruit other healing proteins to heal and regenerate tissue.

PRP therapy is showing promising results with:

  • Ankle sprains

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the knee

  • Chronic plantar fasciitis / Heel Pain which has been unresponsive to corticosteroid injections

  • Ligament sprains

  • Osteoarthritis of the foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, and spine

  • Rotator cuff tears

  • Tendonitis / Tendinitis

  • Tennis elbow

Patients are often encouraged to walk the same day, and most experience little to no down time from the procedure.



Ankle Arthroscopy / Ankle Scope

Also called ankle arthroscopy, this is a less invasive way of doing surgery. Rather than openly cutting into the problem area, the surgeon uses small incisions to navigate the joint and fix the pain or other symptoms with a camera and microscopic instrumentation.





 

What is an Ankle Scope?

The surgeon uses two small incisions and a thin fiber-optic camera to view the problem area in the ankle joint on a screen during surgery as they repair it. This results in less healing time and faster return to activity.

Who should have an Ankle Scope?

An ankle scope is generally recommended if conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, medications, injections or other treatments do not effectively treat a condition or injury. Ankle scopes are often used to treat the pain caused by sports injuries, scar tissue, inflammation, fractures, loose cartilage and more.

Does an Ankle Scope work?

Ankle scopes work very well when done for the right reasons. The small incisions greatly reduce the risks of pain or infection and allow for recovery and rehabilitation much sooner. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, about 70- 90% of patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy for the most common problems achieve good to excellent results.

What can I expect when I have an Ankle Scope?

You will need a pre-surgical physical to make any necessary accommodations based on your health history. When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll speak to your surgeon and anesthesiologist. You are likely to put to sleep (general anesthesia) for this surgery.

Afterward, a physical therapist will help show you how best to get around, likely using crutches. You are very unlikely to be kept in the hospital overnight, and you will need to have someone drive you home. Crutches or a knee scooter may be necessary for most day-to-day tasks for a few weeks. Your physical therapist will help you progress.

Time off from work will be based on your mobility, but for office workers, 1-2 weeks is average.


 

Below is a sample video in animation of the procedure:



 


Minimally Invasive, Cutting-Edge Procedures

These breakthroughs in foot and ankle surgery have benefits which include a rapid return to weight-bearing, faster recovery, decreased wound complications and lower infection rate.


Make an appointment at 626-517-0022 to discuss if you would be a good candidate for minimally invasive procedures.



Tenex

...A minimally invasive cutting edge technology for Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis

Read the article on Tenex for more detailed information.


Call Pasadena Orthopedics at 626-517-0022 to see if you would be a good candidate! You may also read the article on Tenex for more detailed information.


Foot Massage

Treatment Methods

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