PRP & Stem Cell  Therapy

Coastal Foot & Ankle Center is excited to offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy to our patients with foot wounds, tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy is used to Treat Foot and Ankle Injuries and Conditions that cause pain

Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge procedure used by Dr. Christopher Calcagni to treat foot and ankle injuries and conditions that cause pain – such as problems in the tendons, cartilage, muscles, and injured nerves – by regenerating healthy tissue at the site of the injury or wound.

Stem cells are present in small quantities throughout the human body. In fact, they are a fundamental part of the normal healing process. Because they are “blank cells” with your own DNA, they can be converted into any cell your body needs. They are therefore used to help heal damaged or injured cells, thereby allowing natural healing and repair of damaged tissue. When injected into the area of an injury, stem cells can provide an immediate boost to the natural healing process, resulting in faster recovery time.

Adult stem cells have been identified in many human adult organs and tissues, and these cells can be harvested without causing any harm or ethical controversy associated with using embryonic stem cells. The best stem cell source is one’s own bone marrow. The cells used in stem cell therapy can also come from fat (adipose) cells, but the most beneficial source for orthopedic purposes is bone marrow.

At Coastal Foot & Ankle Center, the stem cell treatment procedure is quick, simple, and virtually painless. Once your stem cells have been harvested, they are processed in a lab, and then reinjected as close as possible to the source of your pain or injury. By delivering an extra dose of stem cells to the affected area than your body would normally deliver, there is a greater likelihood that new, healthy tissue will regenerate.

Note: Stem cell therapy tends to be a more effective – if more expensive – procedure than PRP therapy. Talk with a doctor about which procedure would be most beneficial and cost-efficient for you.

PRP Therapy

PRP therapy is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive treatment that relieves pain and promotes long-lasting healing of bone, muscle, and joint conditions throughout the body, including the foot and ankle. Dr. Christopher Calcagni is specially trained in PRP therapy and is thrilled to offer this treatment option to his patients.

PRP therapy uses components of your body’s own blood cells – the platelets – to stimulate the natural healing process in conditions such as osteoarthritis, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, and other cartilage or ligament injuries or slow-healing wounds. Since it helps restore (and sometimes accelerate) your body’s healing mechanisms, it is ideal for patients who are seeking long-term pain relief with or without surgery – or those who aren’t candidates for surgery.

Here’s how PRP therapy works:

Whenever soft tissue is injured, your body’s first response is to deliver extra platelet cells, filled with growth factors, to jump-start the repair process and to attract the support of adjacent stem cells. PRP therapy accelerates this process by delivering a high concentration of platelets to an injured area with a simple injection.

PRP therapy is a relatively simple outpatient procedure. A small sample of your own blood is drawn, and then it is spun at high speeds in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets. This creates a higher concentration of growth and healing factors.

The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into and around the area that needs healing. No stitches are required, because only a needle is used. And since your own blood is being used, there’s no risk of a transmissible infection or rejection, and there’s a very low risk of an allergic reaction.

Including preparation and recovery time, PRP therapy only takes about one to two hours. It is performed safely in our office, relieving pain without the risks of surgery, general anesthesia, a hospital stay, or prolonged recovery. In fact, most PRP therapy patients return to their jobs or usual activities immediately after the procedure.

Up to three PRP injections may be administered to an individual within a six-month period, and they are usually performed two to three weeks apart. Many patients who receive PRP therapy report significant to complete relief after the first or second injection. You’ll likely notice some improvement – which will gradually increase – within a few weeks of your first treatment as the healing progresses.

For more information about our revolutionary PRP therapy and stem cell therapy, or to discuss your options with Dr. Calcagni, call us at Coastal Foot & Ankle Center today at (239) 596-7024 or request an appointment online now.