Your foot is a complex mechanism housing 26 bones, ligaments, and over 100 tendons that all work together to support your body weight and keep you moving. But even the best machines break down, and a single missed curb, a slip on ice, or an awkward misstep can cause unpleasant foot and ankle conditions that are slow to heal. The good news is PRP therapy can expedite the healing process and alleviate pain.
So what are some of the most common foot and ankle conditions? And How can regenerative PRP therapy get you moving again? We’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Tendon Tears
Tendons connect muscles to bones with soft, band-like tissues. So when muscles contract, tendons pull the bone, causing joints to move. When patients experience a tendon tear, muscles stop effectively absorbing shock.
Stress Fracture
Stress fractures are commonly associated with sports injuries and occur when fatigued muscles transfer stress to the bone. The result? A hairline crack in the bone, which causes severe pain and a six to eight-week recovery time.
Neuromas
Neuromas are commonly caused by improper footwear, which compresses the nerves between your toes. The most common symptoms are pain, tingling, and numbness.
Ankle Sprains
Sprains are among the most common ankle injuries, especially for men between 15 and 24 years old and women over 30. Nearly 25,000 Americans sprain their ankles daily, with half of the injuries occurring during athletic activities.
PRP Therapy: A Quick and Safe Healing Solution
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly popular non-surgical treatment that promotes faster healing and effective pain reduction. Here’s how it works.
When doctors use PRP therapy, they take a small amount of blood, place it in a centrifuge, and spin it until it is highly concentrated. Then, 15 minutes later, that blood is reinjected into your injured foot or ankle.
This process stimulates quicker healing by rousing an anti-inflammatory response in the foot or ankle. While professional athletes like Tiger Woods have used PRP Therapy, it has become mainstream because it offers quick relief and faster recovery.
Is PRP Therapy Safe?
PRP therapy is a non-invasive, low-risk procedure that rarely causes significant side effects. However, because PRP involves drawing blood, patients are encouraged to come to the procedure hydrated to mitigate lightheadedness. Additionally, some patients report mild soreness and bruising at the injection site after the procedure.
Is PRP Therapy Right for You?
While PRP therapy treats common foot and ankle injuries, it also treats various injuries, including back, knee, and shoulder pain, arthritis, and even whiplash. Patients looking for a viable, non-invasive alternative to surgery frequently turn to PRP therapy with favorable results.
Consult With a Professional.
If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain and want to learn if PRP therapy is right for you, contact us today. Our office has proudly served the greater Los Angeles area for over 20 years. Our well-rounded clinic includes a broad application of surgery, orthotics, and office procedures. We work hard to deliver the finest, most cost-effective foot and ankle health care available.