Chronic Disease: Dealing with Chronic Ankle & Foot Pain

Dealing with Chronic Ankle & Foot Pain: Platelet-rich plasma injections are now being increasingly used for treating various musculoskeletal conditions. Ankle and foot conditions that can benefit from this therapy include Achilles tendinosis (chronic Achilles tendonitis) and plantar fasciitis (chronic plantar fasciitis).

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs due to the inflammation and tearing of the tendon at the back of the heel. There is a sharp pain and some experience stabbing pains while walking. As you can imagine, it is quite difficult for a person suffering from this condition to go up or down any stairs or walk up or down any type of hill.

As this condition progresses, the swelling and pain may lessen and in some situations, a nodule may form along the back of the tendon when it thickens. When this tendon starts degenerating, it may ultimately lead to Achilles tendinosis

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Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation and tearing of the ligament in the arch of the suffering person’s foot. In the initial stages, the pain is quite sharp especially in the morning, when you place your feet down. As the condition progresses, this pain may become dull and the swelling may diminish, but the area may continue to ache. The arch ligament may start thickening and degenerating. At this stage, it is very difficult to treat this problem.

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

Swelling, redness, and pain are quite commonly a part of any repetitive injury. The body sends more blood to the area that has been injured, carrying cells for cleaning the damaged tissues, and starting the healing process. However, some conditions may reach a degenerative stage where the normal repair process is hindered and inflammatory response is also suppressed.

The platelet-rich plasma cells stimulate the inflammatory response and boost the healing process. Pain management doctors in Delaware use these injections for treating certain diseases, syndromes, and injuries.

Platelet injections are preferred because they have important growth factors and bioactive proteins that are vital for tissue repair and also to speed up the healing process. Only a small amount of blood is taken and is then placed in a centrifuge for preparing for injection. In the end, you get a high concentration of platelets that are ready for injection.

This injection is also given for joint pain. Achilles tendinosis is treated by giving an injection at the back of your heel, and plantar fasciitis is treated with an injection at the bottom or inside the heel.

Many physicians also perform ultrasound-guided injections. You may feel slight discomfort and pain in the area of injection. Stretching therapy is also recommended when the patient can tolerate it.

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