In recent years, doctors have learned that the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. This is known as regenerative medicine. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can harness the ability of your body to heal itself.
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It is made up mostly of water and proteins. Your blood also contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets are small pieces of cells that are responsible for forming blood clots, but also contain some very valuable and necessary proteins that aid in healing.
PRP therapy uses injections of a concentration of the patient's own platelets to speed up the healing process. The injections are prepared by taking the patient’s blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and the plasma. This process concentrates the healing factors up to 10 times their normal levels. The doctor will then inject the platelets directly into the injured area to aid in healing, releasing proteins that stimulate your body to heal.
PRP has also been shown to be more effective than cortisone for conditions such as arthritis of the foot and ankle. It allows patients to return to activity faster after an injury. It has proven to be an asset in returning patients to normal activity without the use of surgery.
Michael R. Gallina, DPM, podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon, is now a part of AMA Health Providers in Venice. He is a well-respected podiatrist who specializes in conditions of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Dr. Gallina uses PRP injections to help patient's heel injuries of the lower extremities such as Achilles tendon injuries, sprained ankles and plantar fasciitis.
To make an appointment with Dr. Gallina, call 941-559-0262 today. Visit amahealthproviders.com or go to AMA Health Provider’s Facebook and Instagram pages @amahealthproviders.
As the former podiatric surgeon for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, foot and ankle surgeon/podiatrist specialist Michael R. Gallina, DPM is an important member of the team at AMA Health Providers-Venice.