A Smart Treatment for Sprains around Ankle with Platelet Rich Plasma

1. Introduction

Lateral sprains of ankle are one of the most common in sports medicine and in orthopaedic practice, considering the sprains; they represent an 85% of the ankle injuries.

The objective of the treatment is to normalize the joint function and allow the patient to return to his or her normal activities and improve quality of life as early as possible. Prp treatment helps create a biological environment internally that is most conducive for restoration of injured tissue by providing numerous signaling cytokines and growth factors that are important in repair of the damaged tissue by diverse mechanisms including the regulation of inflammation angiogenesis and remodeling of new tissue.

Conclusion - treatment with platelet-rich plasma (prp) is a widely used alternative option which is safe because of its autologous nature.

Prp contains numerous growth factors responsible for its potential to heal ankle injuries effectively. Though treatment with platelet-rich plasma is a promising option, there is only limited clinical evidence supporting its use in acute traumatic ankle injuries. § one of the most common injuries in sports& in daily life are ankle sprains. Normally, they are treated with time and basic ligament care techniques. Most sprains will heal without surgery.

1.1 Purpose of review

 Platelet-rich plasma has become popular treatment option within the orthopedic community to biologically enhance and stimulate difficult-to-heal musculoskeletal tissues.

1.2 The aim

Is to evaluate the role of autologous prp for acute ankle injuries. Our analysis evaluates the recent literature on prp use in the management of acute, traumatic ankle injuries and also to report the effects of autologous prp injections on time to return to work or play.

1.3 Introduction

Lateral ankle sprains account for 85% of the injuries in sports and in daily life.

1.4 The objective of the treatment

 Is to normalize the joint function and allow the patient to return to daily activities and improve quality of life as early as possible. Prp treatment helps create a biological environment [1] internally that is very conducive for restoration of injured tissue by providing numerous signaling cytokines and growth factors [2, 3] that are important in repair of the damaged tissue by diverse mechanisms including the regulation of inflammation angiogenesis and remodeling of new tissue [4-7].

1.5 Prp preparation [8-12]

1. 17 ml of venous blood is drawn into one 20 cc syringe containing 3 ml of acd (acid citrate dextrose) to finally get 4 ml of platelet rich plasma.
2. It is centrifuged (1st) for 15 minutes with a setting of 1500 rpm along with counterbalance to the syringe.
3. Three layers were formed upper being the platelets containing plasma, middle being the buffy coat layer, lower being the RBC.
4. Upper layer was drawn out into another syringe.
5. It is centrifuged (2nd) for 7-8 minutes with a setting of 3500 rpm which is very rapid, essential for platelets to sediment along with the counterbalance.
6. High concentration of platelets, were sedimented at the bottom of the test tube with platelet poor plasma being on the top.
7. Platelet poor plasma was discarded with 2-3ml of prp left in the syringe.

2. Materials and Methods

Materials and methods a study of 36 cases done in nri

 medical college and orthocare, Vijayawada over last 18 months. Single dose of prp along with walking cast application in acute ankle sprains showed reduction in vas score at 3 weeks interval.

2.1 Inclusion criteria

1. Acute lateral and medial ankle sprains with no more of 48 hours of evolution,
2. First time ankle sprain,
3. Grade 2 or 3.

2.2 Exclusion criteria

1. Associated pathologies like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
2. Pregnant women,
3. Previous surgery around the ankle,
4. Blood dyscrasias.

The patients will receive a single dose of autologous platelet-rich plasma, and will be immobilized with a walking cast for 3 weeks post walking cast removal, they will be evaluated with American orthopedic foot and ankle society's ankle hind foot scale, vas and foot and ankle disability index. § Platelet-rich plasma will be injected (3-4ml) under the lateral malleolus, over the anterior talofibular ligament or around deltoid ligamentous region for medial injuries.

3. Results

Results were based on following criteria

1. American orthopedic foot and ankle society ankle-hind foot scale (aofas) time frame: six months evaluates pain, function and alignment of foot. The best score is 100 points, and the worst score is 0 points.
2. Visual analogue scale time frame: six months evaluate the pain in a scale of 0 to 10, when 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain
3. Foot and ankle disability index (fadi) time frame: six months assesses activities such as standing, walking on flat or uneven surfaces, walking on inclines, and the length of time of walking without difficulty. It also includes a section for sports activities and ankle or foot pain (or both). The highest score is 136 points, indicating the best clinical situation, free of pain and limitations, while the lowest score is 0.

3.1 Results

1. Out of 36 patients -28 cases were lateral ankle injuries, 08 cases are medial deltoid ligamentous injuries.
2. Male - 22,female -14
3. Right side -20,
4. Left side 16
5. Age group -18-30= 20, 30-50=12, 50 and above=04
6. Aofas scale - 96-100 points in 28 cases
7. Vas score - 0-2 - in 28 cases
8. Fadi score - 130 points in 28 cases
9. 6 cases came back late for follow up with removal of walking cast elsewhere so we didn't include them in the result
10. Remaining 2 cases lost follow up.

4. Discussion

Prp treatment helps create a biological environment internally that is very conducive for restoration of injured tissue by providing numerous signaling cytokines and growth factors that are important in repair of the damaged tissue by diverse mechanisms including the regulation of inflammation angiogenesis and remodeling of new tissue.

The utilization of prp for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions has become more prevalent in recent years. Current literature has established that prp injections are safe and accelerate the soft tissue healing process.

5. Conclusion

Prp can be used as an alternative treatment that is safe due to its autologous nature. Prp contains numerous growth factors that have potential to repair ankle injuries effectively. Prp may be a promising treatment option, but at present, there are only limited clinical studies supporting its use in acute traumatic ankle injuries.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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