Harnessing Your Body's Natural Defenses
Harnessing Your Body's Natural Defenses
In recent years, doctors have learned that the body has the ability to heal itself. Autologous platelet rich plasma (A-PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can harness your body’s own natural growth factors your body uses to heal tissue. At Balance, this method is used to harness your body’s own natural components and treat foot and ankle injuries.
A-PRP is a biological solution from the patient’s whole blood that has concentrated growth factors, high levels of platelet concentration, and proteins, that help your blood to clot. It also contains proteins that support cell growth. Researchers have produced PRP by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it. The idea is that injecting PRP into damaged tissues will stimulate your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote healing. Because the tissue growth factors are more concentrated in the prepared growth injections, researchers think the body’s tissues may heal faster. Many famous athletes like Tiger Woods and tennis star Rafael Nadal have been known to use these injections to help heal injuries.
A member of the healthcare team at Balance will obtain a small amount of blood from your arm using a small needle and a syringe. The blood will be put through a “soft” centrifugation spinning process that will separate and concentrate the platelets and other beneficial components including growth factors. The platelets and growth factors are mixed within the plasma and are then applied to the treatment area. This A-PRP process is usually done in less than 15-20 minutes.
They are the main component of A-PRP and play a central role in hemostasis and tissue healing. Platelets are the architects of tissue healing as their presence at
an injury site initiates and guides the healing process.
Contact us and ask if A-PRP is the right treatment for you. The proper course of therapy will be determined upon examination and if the use of A-PRP may benefit you based on your injury.
There are three simple steps:
- Blood Draw: Using a small butterfly needle, a member of the Balance nursing staff will draw a small amount of blood from your arm into the Regen THT tube
- Load, Balance & Spin: The Regen THT tubes are inserted into the centrifuge and spun at high speed for 8 minutes to separate the various components of your own blood
- Platelet Preparation: After your blood is spun down and separated into its individual components, the platelet-rich plasma (the yellow area) is used by your healthcare provider to treat the injured area
Technology for a Better Patient Experience
Technology for a Better Patient Experience
Following the patient-centered philosophy, Balance Foot & Ankle recently invested in new technology to offer patients greater choice in their medical care. Most people that suffer from joint pain may assume that an MRI is required to view an injury. However, Balance now offers technology solution at its state-of-the-art practice that could save you time when evaluating foot and ankle pain or injuries.
The mi-eye is an in-office handheld diagnostic scope that is inserted into a joint to view the injury. The scope has a light source and camera that displays a clear image of your injury on a high definition tablet display. In some instances, the in-office mi-eye procedure may be an acceptable alternative to an MRI.
- Our team at Balance will clean and sterile prep the procedure site
- Local anesthetic numbs the skin and surrounding area to reduce pain
- Once the joint is numb, your doctor will re-prep the area and insert the mi-eye into the joint
- During the procedure, your doctor will examine your joint, giving you a real-time view with little to no pain
- After the procedure, the area is bandaged and you can return to activities as tolerated with an immediate answer and treatment plan
A Note of Reassurance
A Note of Reassurance
The health, safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, employees, and our community is top priority.
As a medical facility, we already adhere to strict practices and policies of cleaning and sanitation daily. Given the current situation, we are taking additional steps to be extra vigilant and keep our office safe for our patients. These additional measures include increasing the frequency of cleaning all surfaces and areas with antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning products recommended by the CDC. We have added a medical grade HEPA/HEGA air filter purification unit in our office which filters greater than 95% of all dust, spores, mold, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and gases larger than 0.100 microns. Scientists say that the size of the Coronavirus is 0.125 microns. Therefore, the air filter purification unit is designed to capture airborne particles of this size. Additionally, masks and alcohol-based hand sanitizer is readily available. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Stay Safe & Healthy –
Dr. Jennifer L. Prezioso, DPM, FACFAS
BarkingDogShoes.com Guest Column: The Podiatrist is in! Meet Dr. Jennifer Prezioso
BarkingDogShoes.com Guest Column: The Podiatrist is in! Meet Dr. Jennifer Prezioso
Have you ever found yourself, at the end of an evening, thinking of nothing other than getting home and switching out your gorgeous-but-painful pair of shoes in exchange for an old pair of slippers that has seen better days but never lets you down? If yes, then pull up a chair, have a seat, and welcome home. My name is Dr. Jennifer Prezioso, and I am a shoe lover (and hater) just like you. But, as a Podiatric Surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, I am also a dedicated member of the world of Foot and Ankle specialists striving to help people understand their individual foot type and how to make sure they are making healthy shoe choices. So I not only empathize with those who adore shoes but face footwear challenges, I also advocate for them every day. I recently had the opportunity to write a guest column for BarkingDogShows.com on this very topic. If you would like to learn more, read the full article here.
Source: BarkingDogShoes.com
Balance Now Offers Video Visits!
Balance Now Offers Video Visits!
While we love to see you in our office, we realize it’s not always convenient to do so. Video visits allow you to receive the same quality care as you do in the clinic, without taking time off work or finding a sitter to see us.
It’s easy to get started. Next time you’re in the office or need to schedule an appointment, ask for a video visit. Next, look out for an email or text to confirm your information in our telemedicine platform, called Chiron Health. On the day of your visit, simply log in 15 minutes early to see your doctor over video. It’s that easy.
Video Visits are great for:
● Follow-up visits
● Medication questions
● Lab & test results
● General questions and more
Skip the waiting room, request a video visit for your next appointment!
Tips for Healthy Feet - Summer Foot Care
Tips for Healthy Feet - Summer Foot Care
Source: American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc.
- Limit walking barefoot as it exposes feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other infections and also increases risk of injury to your feet.
- Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections.
- Remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, especially the tops and fronts of ankles, and don’t forget to reapply after you’ve been in the water.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking water will not only help with overall health, but will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
- Keep blood flowing with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
- Some activities at the beach, lake, or river may require different types of footwear to be worn, so be sure to ask the contact at each activity if specific shoes are needed. To be safe, always pack an extra pair of sneakers or protective water shoes. If your shoes will be getting wet, they should be dried out completely before your next wearing to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing.
- If you injure your foot or ankle while on vacation, seek professional medical attention from a podiatric physician. Many often only contact a doctor when something is broken or sprained, but a podiatrist can begin treating your ailment immediately while you’re away from home. Use our Find a Podiatrist tool to get treatment wherever your travels take you!
- In case of minor foot problems, be prepared with the following on-the-go foot gear:
- Flip flops—for the pool, spa, hotel room, and airport security check points
- Sterile bandages—for covering minor cuts and scrapes
- Antibiotic cream—to treat any skin injury
- Emollient-enriched cream—to hydrate feet
- Blister pads or moleskin—to protect against blisters
- Motrin or Advil (anti-inflammatory)—to ease tired, swollen feet
- Toenail clippers—to keep toenails trimmed
- Emery board—to smooth rough edges or broken nails
- Pumice stone—to soften callused skin
- Sunscreen—to protect against the scorching sun
- Aloe vera or Silvadene cream—to relieve sunburns