Centreville Podiatrist Offers New Technology for Increased Treatment of Heel Pain and Sports Injuries

    CENTREVILLE, VA, January 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patients suffering from heel pain/plantar fasciitis, or sports injuries, are encouraged to visit Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm, Centreville podiatrist, for treatment with the new Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections at Clifton Foot and Ankle Center.

"In the world of sports medicine an emerging concept is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma to treat chronic or acute musculoskeletal injuries by injecting one's own blood into a damaged joint, tendon, or ligament in order to speed up the body's normal healing process. I am happy to offer this new treatment for my patients, as it is an exciting new therapy for damaged joints, tendons and ligaments," said Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm, podiatrist in Centreville, VA.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is strikingly straightforward and easy to perform, centering on injecting portions of a patient's blood directly into the injured area. This catalyzes the body's instincts to repair muscle, bone and other tissue. Most enticing, many doctors said, is that the technique appears to help regenerate ligament and tendon fibers, which could shorten rehabilitation time and possibly obviate surgery.

In the last 20 years, it has been seen that when activated in the body, platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. There may be many growth factors with varying responsibilities, however cumulatively they accelerate tissue and wound healing for the relief of Centreville plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and other foot and ankle pain. Therefore, after increasing the baseline concentration of these platelets, Dr. Wilhelm, Centreville, VA podiatrist, is able to deliver a powerful cocktail of growth factors that can dramatically enhance tissue recovery.

PRP therapy is derived by placing a small amount of the patient's blood in a filtration system, or centrifuge, which rotates at high speed, separating red blood cells from the platelets that release proteins and other particles involved in the body's self-healing process. A teaspoon or two of the remaining substance is then injected into the damaged area.

The high concentration of platelets - from 3 to 10 times that of normal blood - often catalyzes the growth of new soft-tissue or bone cells. Because the substance is injected where blood would rarely go otherwise, it can deliver the healing instincts of platelets without triggering the clotting response for which platelets are typically known.

Patients, who are suffering from Centreville heel pain/plantar fasciitis, can rely on PRP to help repair damaged tendons and joints. This in turn can improve pain and functional ability, differently than treatment with steroid injections which may only help pain.

Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm encourages patients who are suffering from heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arthritis and other foot and ankle pain in Centreville to visit Clifton Foot and Ankle Center for further diagnosis and treatment. With the latest in technology now available, Dr. Wilhelm is pleased to offer Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections to aide in the relief of foot and ankle pain.

About Clifton Foot and Ankle Center: Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm opened Clifton Foot and Ankle Center in September of 2011. He has 15 years of experience and is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle surgeon. Dr. Wilhelm offers services including treatment of ankle pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, among others. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio in 1994. Dr. Wilhelm completed a three-year surgical residency at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania and was a chief resident for two years. Additionally, Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm spent two years volunteering for his church in Santiago, Chile and is fluent in Spanish. Dr. Wilhelm is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He has also held numerous positions with the Virginia Podiatric Medical Association and is currently holding the position of secretary.

Media Contact:
Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm
[email protected]
6101 Redwood Square Center, Suite 303
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 996-3000
http://www.cliftonfootandankle.com

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