PRP THERAPY (PLATELET RICH PLASMA)
Introduction:
PRP is a cutting-edge procedure used to treat a variety of conditions. Medicine is rapidly expanding and a New Branch of “Regenerative Biologic Medicine” is emerging. We are moving away from Drugs, and Surgery and toward new treatments that relieve pain and promotes long lasting healing of Musculoskeletal, Nerve, and other painful conditions. The treatment uses the body’s own blood cells to stimulate the natural healing process.
How it works:
Basically, Platelets are the cells in the bloodstream that are the “first responders” in any injury situation. They “jump start” the healing process by signaling to your own stem cells to respond. We’re able to “super concentrate” the platelet numbers and inject them into the injured area (nerves, ligaments, tendon, plantar fascia, any joints that are inflamed.)
Why would I choose PRP as a “First Line” of treatment?
Basically, PRP injections are much simpler than surgery and more directed specifically to the area of injury. If you take a medication it must circulate “everywhere in the body” and must be cleared by your kidneys or liver and may adversely affect your gut. Once you have a surgical intervention, you can’t go back! Also, Recovery is much faster with PRP than with a surgical procedure which may involve prolonged recovery and again, more medications/PT etc. In Fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activity right after the procedure.
The Procedure:
The actual procedure takes less than an hour. You arrive at the office and we take your own blood and spin it in an FDA approved centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. Your platelet concentrate is then injected by Dr. Potter into areas of concern. The whole process is “closed” there are no outside sources of blood product, so it is a “clean and safe” procedure.
REAL RESULTS:
Recent new headlines have featured the amazing results professional athletes have experienced with PRP therapy. Pro football player Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers received PRP therapy after injuries that should have side-lined them for months, but they returned to play in a matter of weeks, winning the Super Bowl.
LA Dodgers pitcher Takashi Saito received PRP treatment to his elbow injury and returned to play in just a few months (as opposed to 18 months of recovery that surgery would have entailed.) MRI and Ultrasound results dramatically reveal healing of tendons and ligaments after treatment (before and after pictures show “new growth and repair”.) Up to three injections may be given within a 3-month time frame, usually given 2-3 weeks apart. Ask Dr Potter if you are a candidate for PRP treatment or other Ortho biologic “cutting-edge” treatments. As always, our team wishes you the best in terms of health and wellness.
In good health,
Dr. Potter and the entire AIM team.
June release 2019