Cutting edge: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy
New techniques and advances in orthopedics commonly get the publics attention then tend to fade away, when they don't deliver as reported. Lasers, robots and all sorts of holistic remedies come and go. It seems that everyone (especially baby boomers) is looking for a 'lil magic' to make tired, worn joints and other aching body parts feel better. Unfortunately, despite what is advertised and hyped... there is no magic out there.
But the good news is real medical research and development is gaining ground. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is now gaining popularity and early results seem to be very promising.
PRP is a technique that utilizes naturally occurring healing factors that reside in your own blood. A small amount of your blood (30 cc or 2 tablespoons) is drawn from your arm. Your blood is then concentrated using a centrifuge (spinning machine) and a special filter separates the useful healing factors. These now concentrated healing factors (5cc or 1 teaspoon) are then injected into a desired area to stimulate and promote your body's natural healing mechanism.
The idea is to actually heal chronically inflamed and painful tissues rather than just temporarily treating them with repeated cortisone injections.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes at your orthopedic surgeon's office or an outpatient surgery center (probably a bit more appropriate). That's it.
What conditions are being treated with PRP? Chronic tennis elbow, many forms of tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, all sorts of arthroscopic knee and shoulder procedures, during rotator cuff repairs, plantar fasciitis, SI joint pain and many other applications.
During the pre-game show for the Superbowl it was reported that Pittsburgh Steelers' star WR Hines Ward had the procedure done to aid healing of his recent knee injury. Apparently both Hines Ward and the team physicians considered PRP to be a significant factor in his ability to play in the Big Game.
But the good news is real medical research and development is gaining ground. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is now gaining popularity and early results seem to be very promising.
PRP is a technique that utilizes naturally occurring healing factors that reside in your own blood. A small amount of your blood (30 cc or 2 tablespoons) is drawn from your arm. Your blood is then concentrated using a centrifuge (spinning machine) and a special filter separates the useful healing factors. These now concentrated healing factors (5cc or 1 teaspoon) are then injected into a desired area to stimulate and promote your body's natural healing mechanism.
The idea is to actually heal chronically inflamed and painful tissues rather than just temporarily treating them with repeated cortisone injections.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes at your orthopedic surgeon's office or an outpatient surgery center (probably a bit more appropriate). That's it.
What conditions are being treated with PRP? Chronic tennis elbow, many forms of tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, all sorts of arthroscopic knee and shoulder procedures, during rotator cuff repairs, plantar fasciitis, SI joint pain and many other applications.
During the pre-game show for the Superbowl it was reported that Pittsburgh Steelers' star WR Hines Ward had the procedure done to aid healing of his recent knee injury. Apparently both Hines Ward and the team physicians considered PRP to be a significant factor in his ability to play in the Big Game.
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