Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Use in the Foot & Ankle

from Our City Weston: June 2022

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ASK THE EXPERT Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Use in the Foot & Ankle

By Dr. Carlo A. Messina

Healing after an injury involves a well-orchestrated and complex series of events where proteins in the blood act as messengers to regulate the entire process. Many proteins involved in the healing process are derived from small cell fragments in the blood called platelets. Platelets are small, colorless, cell fragments present in the blood. They are formed in the bone marrow and are freely passing through the

ASK THE EXPERT bloodstream in a resting state. However, when an injury occurs, the platelets become activated and start to gather at the injury site to release beneficial proteins called growth factors. This is the beginning of the healing process. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Use in the Foot and Ankle For many years, blood components derived from the patient and then delivered to the site of injury have created growing interest for use in orthopedic procedures. New research and technology have expanded the application of this therapy for use in orthopedic procedures. What is Platelet Rich H ealing after an injury involves a wellorchestrated and complex series of events where proteins in the blood act as messenPlasma (PRP)?gers to regulate the entire process. Platelet Rich Plasma is a concentra Many proteins involved in the tion of platelets and growth factors healing process are derived from created from a small amount of small cell fragments in the blood your own blood. Increased levels of called platelets. growth factors have the potential Platelets are small, colorless, cell to improve signaling and recruit-fragments present in the blood. ment of cells.They are formed in the bone marWhat conditions can it treat? row and are freely passing through the bloodstream in a • Arthritis (Foot or Ankle) resting state. However, when an injury occurs, the platelets • Ligament Injuries (Acute or Chronic) • Tendon Injuries (Acute or Chronic) • Joint Pain • Chronic Inflammatory Conditions • Achilles Tendonitis become activated and start to gather at the injury site to release beneficial proteins called growth factors. This is the beginning of the healing process. For many years, blood components derived from the • Plantar Fasciitis patient and then delivered to the site of injury have created • Chronic Nerve Irritation (Neuritis)growing interest for use in orthopedic procedures. New • Shin Splints research and technology have expanded the application of • Heel Spurs this therapy for use in orthopedic procedures. How does the PRP process work?What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)? Platelet Rich Plasma is Our doctors will recover a small amount of blood from your arm using a small needle and a specially designed syringe. The blood then goes through a rapid spinning process that separates and concentrates the platelets and other beneficial growth factors from the blood. The entire PRP production process is usually done in less than 20 minutes. What happens after that? The injected area will be anes-thetized a concentration of platelets and growth factors created from a small amount of your own blood. Increased levels of growth factors have the potential to improve signaling and recruitment of cells. What conditions can it treat? PRP can be used to treat Arthritis (foot or ankle), Ligament Injuries (acute or chronic), Tendon Injuries (acute or chronic), Joint Pain, Chronic Inflammatory Conditions, Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, with a local anesthetic (Lidocaine). The blood with its PRP will be injected into the area directly or with the aid of ultrasound or x-ray. Am I a candidate for treatment with PRP? Speak with our doctors and ask if PRP is right for you. We will perform an examination to determine if the use of PRP will benefit you. If you are on anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners, your physician may temporarily discontinue the use of these until your treatment has taken place. What are the risks associated with this treatment? PRP uses your body’s own natural properties to treat your injury. Side effects utilizing PRP systems are very uncommon.

BY DR. CARLO A. MESSINA Chronic Nerve Irritation (Neuritis), Shin Splints and Heel Spurs. How does the PRP process work? blood from your arm using a small needle and a specially designed syringe. The blood then goes through a rapid spinning process that separates and concentrates the platelets and other beneficial growth fac tors from the blood. The entire PRP production process is usually done in less than 20 minutes. What happens after that? thetized with a local anesthetic (Lidocaine). The blood with its PRP will be injected into the area directly or with the aid of ultrasound or x-ray. Am I a candidate for treatment with PRP? doctors and ask if PRP is right for you. We will perform an examination to determine if the use of PRP will benefit you. If you are on anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners, your physician may temporarily discontinue the use of these until your treatment has taken place. What are the risks associated with this treatment? PRP uses your body’s own natural properties to treat your injury. Side effects utilizing PRP systems are very uncommon. n Carlo A. Messina, DPM, is a Board Certified Reconstructive Foot Ankle Surgeon, Diplomate American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in treating infants, children, teens and adults. His partners are Dr. Robert Sheinberg, Dr. Al DeSimone, Dr. Fernando Moya, Dr. Alexander Bertot, Dr. David Shenassa, Dr. Michael Cohen, Dr. Franz Jones and Dr. John Goodner. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C, (954) 389-5900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901. The practice website is www.SOUTHFLORIDASPORTSMEDICINE.org.

▸Carlo A. Messina, DPM, is a Board Certified Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Diplomate American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in treating infants, children, teens and adults. The South Florida

Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd.,

Suite C, (954) 389-5900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901. www.SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com