An injury to the foot or ankle can be debilitating. Problems specific to this part of the body may be from an old wound that did not heal properly or a recent mishap. They include a calf strain or foot sprain, Achilles tendon problems, plantar fasciitis, weak ankles or a tear in a ligament. To address this specific type of injury quickly and effectively, Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic now performs a unique treatment called platelet rich plasma injections in Arlington that is completed in only one office session. Dr. Hall has executed this procedure on over 100 individuals with great success and he is presently investigating the use of PRP therapy for chronic arthritis of the joints.
The human body commences an immediate response to injury, called a healing cascade. This 3-step process permits the body to heal any type of tissue damage. When an injury occurs, that part of the body swells and reddens due to the coagulation of blood at the site. This inflammatory phase lasts for about 7 days. Next, scar tissue and collagen form in the area. This stage lasts about 2-3 months. The final 6-month period is known as reparation or regeneration, where the scar tissue is eliminated and the damaged tissues restored.
If an injury is not addressed quickly, the healing cascade is interrupted and the body stops trying to heal the damage (quiescent phase). The unwelcome result is an injury that never totally heals and development of chronic pain.
Injecting platelet rich plasma into the wounded tissue starts the healing process over again with the inflammatory phase. The body is then able to complete the entire healing cascade and total restoration can occur.
PRP therapy is fast and straightforward. Blood is drawn from your arm into a vial, which is then spun in a centrifuge. This apparatus separates whole blood from the platelet rich plasma. The injured part of the body is numbed and PRP injected right into the damaged tissue. To encourage ample healing, the foot or ankle is restrained in a boot for about 4 weeks.
For additional inquiries concerning platelet rich plasma injections in Arlington or to schedule an appointment, contact Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic at (425)482-6663.
