PRP Therapy provides an exciting solution to tendon and ligament injuries as well as osteoarthritis by combining the body’s natural ability to heal itself with the latest medical and scientific technology.
Our blood consists of white blood cells, red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Platelets (which look like sea sponges and when activated form branches) were initially thought to only be responsible for blood clotting. The last twenty years have revealed that platelets have almost magical properties. They release healing proteins called growth factors which accelerate tissue and wound repair.
While it sounds almost unbelievable, a novel scientific process allows us to deliver this powerful cocktail of growth factors to facilitate tissue repair and regeneration called PRP. Specifically, the process involves a simple blood draw (withdrawing some blood through an IV), placing the blood in a custom processing container, and centrifuging it under specific conditions. The portion of the blood containing the PRP is then carefully extracted.
In the final step, PRP is delivered to the exact coordinates of your damaged tissue utilizing ultrasound or fluoroscopic control and the skilled technique of your physician expert. Selectively isolating the cells and growth factors within PRP treatment not only helps to stimulate tissue repair and healing, but reduces inflammation. PRP has been shown to restore joint health by healing cartilage as well as repairing tendon and ligament injuries.
The post procedure recovery usually involves mild to minimal soreness for several days. As this is a reparative process, we ask the patients to allow roughly eight weeks to enjoy notable differences in a dramatic alleviation of pain and restoration of function.
More about Platelets and PRP
Think of your platelets as tiny cells that are critical to healing – specifically the body’s primary source of bioactive tissue growth factors. These factors control and regulate your body’s natural healing process in response to injury and degenerative changes. The process used at STAR concentrates these growth factors and delivers them specifically to the site of injury, allowing for a robust healing response.
The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) extraction process employed at STAR concentrates not only the platelets but fibrin and mesenchymal stem cells. Each cubic millimeter of the PRP contains 1.5 to 2 million platelets, resulting in up to a fivefold increase in platelets and bioactive growth factors. Clinically, this greatly concentrated solution acts as an extremely potent tissue growth stimulant and amplifier of your body’s natural repair and healing processes.
Another amazing fact about PRP is that it also attracts mesenchymal stem cells. Don’t confuse these stem cells with embryonic stem cells. These are the stem cells that naturally occur in your body. These amazing cells trigger collagen and bone to heal tissues damaged by injury, degenerative change, and osteoarthritis. Moreover, they aid in eliminating inflammation. Activating healing and suppressing inflammation is a powerful solution toward recovery – especially when combined with systematic physical rehabilitation (therapeutic exercises).