Regenerative Medicine, The Medicine of the Future
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)…
During the past several years, much has been written about a preparation called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its potential effectiveness in the treatment of injuries.
Many famous athletes — Tiger Woods, tennis star Rafael Nadal, and several others — have received PRP for various problems, such as sprained knees and chronic tendon injuries. These types of conditions have typically been treated with medications, physical therapy, or even surgery. Some athletes have credited PRP with their being able to return more quickly to competition.
PRP is a next-generation injection procedure commonly used to treat the following conditions:
Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Shoulder, Hip and Spine
Rotator Cuff Tears
Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
ACL Injuries
Pelvic Pain and Instability
Back and Neck Injuries
Tennis Elbow
Ankle Sprains
Tendinitis
Ligament Sprains
What Is Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)?
Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries.
How does PRP heal the body?
The body’s first response to soft tissue is to deliver platelet Cells , Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells , PRP’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly into the area in need.
PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual.
To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from a patient. The platelets are separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased during a process called centrifugation. Then the increased concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood.
PRP generally results in long-lasting relief because the degenerative tissue has started to regenerate or regrow itself. The bioactive proteins stimulate healing and repair.
ABOUT MICHIGAN SPORTS & SPINE CENTER:
We’re innovative leaders utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as musculoskeletal ultrasounds, PRP, stem cell treatment, and other innovative procedures. Michigan Sports & Spine Center is committed to resolving your pain, not simply masking it. We treat the whole body, not just the injury, and perform preventative treatment so your injury doesn’t come back. Our studies prove that Michigan Sports & Spine Center has patient success rates much higher than the national average. We treat everyone from high-profile athletes to your neighbor next door. Our primary focus is getting our patients back into the game of life!