PRP in Ankle Surgeries: Enhancing Recovery with Platelet-Rich Plasma

What is PRP Therapy? PRP therapy involves using a patient’s own blood to isolate and concentrate platelets, which are rich in growth factors that promote healing. The concentrated PRP is then injected into the surgical site to accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

How PRP Enhances Ankle Surgeries: PRP is particularly beneficial in ankle surgeries involving ligament and tendon repair. The growth factors in PRP help stimulate tissue regeneration and minimize post-operative swelling, making it an attractive option for improving recovery times.

Benefits of PRP in Ankle Surgeries:

• Faster Healing: Patients often experience quicker tissue repair and reduced downtime.
• Reduced Pain and Inflammation: PRP can decrease pain and swelling post-surgery.
• Natural Healing: Since PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, it carries fewer risks of adverse reactions compared to synthetic treatments.

The PRP Procedure in Surgical Context: PRP is typically prepared on the day of surgery. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets. The PRP solution is then injected into the surgical site or applied during the procedure to enhance healing.

Scientific Evidence Supporting PRP: Clinical studies have shown that PRP can improve outcomes for patients undergoing ligament and tendon repair in the ankle. Many patients report improved function and less post-surgical pain compared to those who did not receive PRP.

Is PRP Right for You? While PRP is a promising treatment, it may not be suitable for everyone. Patients should discuss with their orthopedic surgeon to understand if PRP fits into their surgical and recovery plan.

Conclusion: PRP therapy is proving to be an effective supplement to traditional ankle surgeries, offering potential for faster recovery and reduced pain. Consulting with an orthopedic specialist can help patients make informed decisions about incorporating PRP into their treatment.

Meet Foot and Ankle Specialist, Scott Hanauer

Foot and Ankle Surgeon Scott Hanauer, DPM, believes excellent patient care is based on a foundation of compassion, trust, and expertise. At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, he works with his patients throughout Clifton, West Orange, Edison, and Jersey City, New Jersey, to build relationships of mutual respect in order to help them return to what they love doing as safely and pain-free as possible. Dr. Hanauer is trained in sports-related injuries, including ankle arthroscopy, ankle ligament repair and reconstruction, fracture repair, Achilles tendonitis and tears, and tendon injury and cartilage restoration surgery. He also specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including ankle replacement, flat foot and cavus foot reconstruction, and ankle and midfoot fusions. 

Dr. Hanauer is also trained in advanced minimally invasive forefoot surgery, including bunion correction, hammertoe deformity correction, and arthritis. Dr. Hanauer completed his undergraduate education at the University of Maryland, earning his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiological Sciences. He earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class with Cum Laude honors while receiving numerous scholarships and awards. Dr. Hanauer went on to complete his residency at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Northern Virginia.  During training, he served as Chief Resident. His training focused on complex surgical reconstruction of the foot and ankle. He is active in research and is an author of a number of publications and posters in peer-reviewed journals and national conferences. As an attending physician, he continues to play an active role in the training and education of residents.

Dr. Hanauer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, an associate member of the board of American Foot & Ankle Surgeons, and a member of the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society. He is from Livingston, New Jersey. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golf, NYC sports, and spending time with his wife Jessica, family, friends, and his dog, Finn. 

If you have any foot or ankle pain you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Hanauer at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics located in Clifton, Edison, Jersey City, and West Orange, New Jersey. 

Garden State Pain and Orthopedics is a group of Orthopedic and Pain Management Physicians located in Clifton, Edison, Hazlet, West Orange, and Jersey City who have provided the highest quality healthcare since 1994. Garden State Pain & Orthopedics is on the cutting edge of technology in pain medicine with expertise across diverse pain conditions and treatment modalities, including interventional pain techniques, minimally-invasive surgeries, medical management, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and behavioral therapy. You can schedule an appointment with their pain doctors by selecting the “Book Now” button. 

Locations:

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330

Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330