5 Lifestyle Tips for Managing Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is no walk in the park — literally. In fact, it can prevent one. Don’t let your arthritis get to that point. Check out five lifestyle habits to make arthritis manageable.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection - Footcare Friday
WHAT IS A PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INJECTION?
Platelets are small cells in the blood that help form clots to stop bleeding. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a patient’s own concentrated platelets. PRP contains a large number of growth factors, which are thought to stimulate healing.
When PRP is injected, it can aid the body’s natural healing of injuries. The goal is not only to relieve symptoms but also to create actual healing. In some cases, PRP injections may reduce the need for medication and/or surgery.
PRP injections have been used to treat tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone injuries, as well as arthritis. Around the foot and ankle, PRP is used for treatment of tendon and ligament injuries such as plantar fascitis and Achilles tendinitis.
PRP injections are not recommended for the treatment of infections or cancer.
Treatment
A small amount of a patient’s blood is drawn and then spun at high speed. The platelets are concentrated to contain 3-5 times the concentration of growth factors compared to normal human blood. Dr. Reichard will then inject this liquid around or near the area being treated. They may use ultrasound or an X-ray as a guide for placing the injection.
Dr. Reichard may recommend a single injection or a series of injections based on the injury being treated and your initial response to the therapy.
Recovery
You may experience mild pain and irritation of the area for several days following the injection. Dr. Reichard may ask you to limit motion or weightbearing activity immediately following the injection. The use of a brace, boot, or cast may be recommended during the early post-injection course.
Three to seven days after the injection, you may gradually return to normal physical activities. The return to full activity is determined based on your response to the therapy and the recommendation of Dr. Reichard.
Risks and Complications
As PRP is obtained from your own blood, the risk of reaction is low. As with any injection, there is a small risk of injury to any structures in the area as well as a very small risk of infection.
FAQs
How many PRP injections can I have?
A treatment may require a series of injections, perhaps 3-5. However, multiple injections often are not recommended if there is no improvement in symptoms following the first or second treatment.
For more information please visit: https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/injections-and-other-treatments/platelet-rich-plasma-injection
You Might Also Enjoy...
Everyday Activities That Could Lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Are some of your fingers tingling or feeling numb? That’s not normal. Could overuse be causing these odd symptoms? Read on to learn about carpal tunnel syndrome.
Getting Active Again After an ACL Tear
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can definitely take a toll on your mobility. If you lead an active lifestyle, it’s normal to want to get back on your feet as soon as possible. Here’s what you can expect during recovery.
Minimally Invasive Surgery - Footcare Friday
Minimally invasive surgery, or MIS, involves doing traditional surgeries through smaller incisions. Smaller incisions usually mean faster healing. Dr. Reichard is the only foot and ankle surgeon in Bozeman trained in these techniques.
Achilles Tendon Tear - Footcare Friday
Achilles tendon tears are significant injuries that can have long lasting negative effects. Dr. Reichard is trained in the newest minimally invasive surgical techniques as well as more traditional nonsurgical and surgical techniques.
Ankle Sprains - Footcare Friday
Ankle sprains are common injuries. Most of the time they heal up without incident, however they can sometimes leave you with pain and disability. Therefore, it's best to get an ankle sprain checked out by a specialist like Dr. Reichard.