Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Therapy

 This cutting edge treatment is already being touted as a medical miracle, replacing cortisone shots, drug therapy and surgery. This amazing procedure is currently the rave in sports medicine. Kobe Bryant, Cliff Lee, Tiger Woods, Bartolo Colon are among the many professional athletes who have seen dramatic results with this procedure. Simply put, this is a natural way to heal (not mask) acute or chronic conditions without any side effects.  Ailments currently being treated in our office with the PRP therapy are arthritis, tendonitis, muscle sprains and tears, neuritis, and ligament injuries.  We have seen phenomenal results in our office with treatments for Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, joint pain, neuritis, neuromas and various other chronic conditions.
Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is blood plasma with concentrated platelets and other growth factors.  The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors and signaling proteins that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.  These growth factors number at least a dozen different factors. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing in tissues such as meniscus (knee) and rotator cuff tissue, bone and particular cartilage regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process. The PRP signals the body to send in stem cells to repair the area of injury by generating new tissue and formation of new blood vessels.
The way this process works is a small amount of blood is taken from the patient’s arm, the blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which spins and separates the platelets form the rest of the blood components. The specially prepared platelets are taken and re-injected into the affected area.  These platelets release special growth factors that lead to tissue healing. . The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 600 percent.  The healing process takes between four to eight weeks.
When performing these injections, we must do whatever we can to maximize stem cell release to optimize healing.  We know certain factors diminish stem cell release such as smoking and alcohol intake.  Also the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin, ibuprofen, are not recommended about four to six weeks.
The number of injections performed depends upon the severity and the type of condition being treated.  Age also seems to have an effect on the number of injections given. Typically, younger people generally need fewer injections for the same condition than a person who is older.  After the injection is given, there is usually a marked increase in pain for anywhere from five to 10 days.  If you have been suffering from chronic pain this procedure could be the miracle you’ve been looking for. Our success rate so far has been 95 percent. Why live with pain if you don’t have to?
Dr. Tony Avakian received his medical and surgical training at Cornell Medical Center, Midway Hospital, and Cedars Sinai.  He is nationally recognized as one of the top podiatrists in the nation, and has been nominated as the best podiatrist in SCV by KCAL 9 Best of LA.  Visit our Facebook for before and after bunionectomy photos.
For more information, please call Valencia Foot and Ankle Center at 661-288-2321 and visit www.curefeet.com.