PRP Injection for Ankle Pain is a medical procedure gaining popularity as a safe and effective treatment for ankle pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is extracted from a patient’s own blood and then injected into the ankle joint to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
This treatment is considered an alternative to traditional treatments like surgery, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medication. In this article, we will explore the details of PRP Injection for Ankle Pain, including how it works and what to expect during and after the procedure. If you’re considering PRP Injection for your ankle pain, read on to learn more.
What Is a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection?
Platelet-rich plasma is a substance made out of your plasma – with added platelets, as the name suggests. But what is plasma exactly? It’s a clear liquid that’s a part of your blood. When you add red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and various other cellular elements to the plasma, you get blood.
Plasma is rich in proteins, and it contains numerous elements necessary for proper healing. That’s why its concentrated variant – PRP – has shown great results in helping the body recover faster from injuries or certain conditions.
PRP can be used in many ways, and its use for ankle and foot conditions is quite common. Besides these areas of the body, PRP is often used to treat pain in the knees, back, hips, and shoulders. Platelet-rich plasma helps the body with new tissue growth, reduces pain, and helps your muscles move more smoothly. Essentially, it improves the body’s ability to heal itself, thus making your recovery easier.
What Should You Expect From It?
When considering PRP therapy, it’s important to understand what the treatment will actually look like. The platelet-rich plasma that will be injected into your ankle is made out of your own blood. Your doctor will have to draw a few vials of your blood from a vein. Then, the vials with blood are placed into a machine called a centrifuge.
This machine spins the vials really fast, which helps the blood break down into layers of its basic components. One of them is plasma, and different blood cells are also separated into different layers. Thanks to this, doctors can take your plasma, add platelets to it and get platelet-rich plasma. In some cases, thrombin and calcium chloride can be added to the mixture to stimulate platelets, so they can work more quickly.
When PRP is ready, all that’s left to do is inject it into the patient’s ankle. The doctor will clean the area where you will get the shot and then use the syringe to inject the PRP into your ankle or foot. It’s also common to see a doctor using an ultrasound as guidance, so they can inject the PRP in the exact right spot – where the damage to the tissue has occurred.
Who Should Get It?
What’s the indication for PRP therapy? If you’re suffering from chronic pain that hasn’t improved with conservative treatment, this might be a great option for you. Patients who don’t want to undergo surgery or have had surgery that failed to provide any results can benefit from platelet-rich plasma injections.
What Common Foot and Ankle Conditions Require Injection Treatment?
PRP has proven to be helpful in treating injuries and diseases of joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When it comes to the foot and ankle, it can provide relief from various conditions – plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sprains, arthritis, and pulled muscles are just a few of the common things where PRP can help. Any kind of injury with delayed healing can be treated with platelet-rich plasma to increase the functionality of the damaged tissue.
How Long Does the Recovery Last?
After getting a PRP injection, the chances are that you won’t have any side effects. This is thanks to the fact that PRP is made from your own blood. The procedure is considered very safe, and you will be able to go home immediately after you get the injection. However, you will have to rest and take it easy for a few days. Your doctor might recommend wearing a medical boot for a few days to keep the foot stable while the PRP does its magic. Sometimes, physical therapy after PRP injections can be great for recovery as well.
Discuss With Your Doctor in Miami if You Are the Best Candidate for PRP Injection for Ankle
Are you interested in this kind of treatment but are not really convinced this is the right fit for you? There’s no rush to decide – your health is a priority, and you should take time to think thoroughly and pick the best treatment option for you. Talk to your doctor and go over the pros and cons of PRP therapy – that’s the best way to see if this injection is exactly what you need.
If you don’t know where to find a great doctor who can help you, we have the perfect solution for you. It’s a good thing you’ve found us – Luxe Foot Surgery clinic has amazing doctors who are always ready to give you more information about PRP injections and other treatment options. Contact us – hurry and reach out to our office, and we will get you an appointment for your free first consultation.
FAQ
Does PRP Work on Ankles?
Yes, PRP therapy can work great on chronic pain in the ankles. It can also help with various conditions that cause pain in the back, knees, hips, and shoulders.
How Long Does It Take for PRP to Work on the Ankle?
PRP starts working immediately after you get the injection. You will notice that your symptoms are improving in the next few months. The benefits of the injection will be noticeable for about a year – if we’re talking about serious chronic conditions. Minor injuries can be completely cured after a few treatments.
Can I Walk After PRP Injection?
You should rest your foot a few days after getting a PRP injection, but after that, you are free to walk. Most doctors recommend wearing a medical shoe for a few days as well.
What Is the Success Rate of PRP Injections for the Ankle?
The success rate of PRP injections is 70-80%. You have to remember that it takes a few weeks to see the full effect of the treatment – your symptoms will keep improving in the months after getting that injection.
References
- Mercy Health. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections for the Feet and Ankles [Internet]. Mercy Health. [Accessed on April 21, 2023]. Available from: https://www.mercy.com/health-care-services/orthopedics-sports-medicine-spine/specialties/foot-ankle/treatments/platelet-rich-plasma-injections-for-the-feet-and-ankles
- MidAmerica Orthopaedics. PRP Therapy for Foot and Ankle Conditions [Internet]. MidAmerica Orthopaedics. [Accessed on April 21, 2023]. Available from: https://midamericaortho.com/blog/262-prp-therapy-for-foot-and-ankle-conditions
