PRP Therapy

PRP Therapy

While surgery is certainly a main focus for the physicians at CORE Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, we offer other, more conservative treatments for patients looking to avoid a major procedure. One of these treatments is called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP helps harness the body’s natural ability to repair itself and can assist in the healing of damaged or diseased tissue. We like PRP therapy because it’s been proven an effective treatment for patients with a variety of orthopedic conditions and athletic injuries.

Many people have never heard of PRP therapy and often ask a ton of questions about how it works when our physicians present it as an option. Here is our short list of FAQ’s about PRP therapy and how it can help accelerate healing and potentially prevent surgery:

• What are platelets?

  Platelets are found in your blood and are considered a rich source of proteins (known as growth factors). They help stimulate new cell growth and spark tissue repair in damaged or diseased tissues.

• What is PRP?

  PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, which contains a greater amount of platelets than what’s naturally found in your blood. PRP is created when a doctor takes a sample of your blood and separates out the platelets using a centrifuge. The concentration of platelets is then combined with your blood plasma to make PRP.

• What is PRP therapy?

  When your doctor uses the PRP to help accelerate the targeted growth and healing of certain tissues. The actual procedure begins when your doctor numbs the area that needs PRP. They’ll then inject the PRP into your damaged tissue using ultrasound imaging to guide the needle. Upon injection, the platelets help promote healing by:

  • Recruiting stem cells (that contain growth factors) to the area and increasing their effectiveness (increasing blood vessel growth and preserving soft tissues)
  • Reducing inflammation and pain
  • Triggering production of collagen, muscles, and connective tissues

• What conditions can be treated with PRP therapy?

  PRP therapy has been proven to effectively treat the following orthopedic conditions and injuries:

  • Tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Sprains/strains
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Partial rotator cuff tears
  • Back/neck/knee pain
  • Joint capsular laxity
  • Most musculoskeletal problems and injuries

The physicians at CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have a years of experience in non-operative procedures and therapies like PRP. To schedule a consultation and figure out if PRP therapy is right for you, please give us a call today at 847-690-1776 or visit us online at coreorthosports.com.