What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine’s philosophy is based on using a patient’s own cells and tissue to help their body heal itself and restore the structure and function of damaged tissues and organs within the body. This field of medicine is constantly evolving to try to find ways to cure previously untreatable injuries. One of the most effective regenerative treatment options offered at Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Pain Management is PRP.
What Is PRP?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is obtained when your blood is drawn and then the concentrated layer of platelets is separated from the red blood cells. The layer of PRP is then injected into or around the area that is injured.
How Does It Work?
PRP helps to enhance and strengthen the body’s ability to regenerate healthy tissue because of the growth factors and cells that it contains.
When a muscle or tendon is torn or strained, its fibers bleed. That blood helps start the healing process because it contains platelets that have growth factors and proteins.
If you are still experiencing pain in the affected area, it means that it did not heal properly. This happens because enough blood did not reach the area.
By injecting PRP in or around the affected area, it indicates to the surrounding tissue that it’s time to start the healing process and the body will then heal.
The benefit of this process is that the injured area receives blood flow that is necessary and may delay or replace the need for more invasive surgery.
What Does It Help?
Although the benefits of PRP are still being studied, it has already proven to help a variety of injuries. Some of the conditions it helps treat include:
Chronic tendon injuries
- PRP is most effective in treating chronic tendon injuries in areas such as the ankle, knee, or elbow.
Ligament and muscle injuries
- PRP is helpful to athletes who suffer from a pulled hamstring or plantar fasciitis
PRP can also help with
- Inflammation reduction
- Fractures
- Arthritis
What To Expect
PRP procedures are minimally invasive and last approximately an hour. After the procedure, patients can return to their everyday activities.
At Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Pain Management, we want to help our patients get back to a pain-free, healthy life. Call us today to learn more about our regenerative medicine treatments.