Regenerative medicine can be an effective way to heal injuries without downtime or surgery. One industry-leading option is PRP, and it has a multitude of uses in sports medicine and orthopedics. Although Dr. Goldberg can discuss your best options with PRP therapy, it can be helpful to know about the industry-leading options when it comes to helping your body heal. Here’s what to know about PRP and what you can expect from treatment.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma, which is a new type of non-surgical treatment for sports medicine and other types of injuries. Platelet rich plasma is derived from your blood that has been specially prepared to reduce the number of red and white blood cells. This then increases the proportion of platelets in the blood, which are the cells most responsible for blood clotting and healing. They’re sometimes called growth factors because they’re able to simulate cell regeneration and boost your body’s recovery functions.
How does PRP Therapy work?
The theory behind platelet rich plasma is that when this fluid, taken from your blood sample, is re-injected into an injured area, it then provides an increased boost of healing using your body’s natural function. It has been used now for several years in orthopedics and is also used in many other fields of surgery as well. It is becoming increasingly popular as a form of treatment ahead of considering surgery, especially among elite athletes. In some cases, it can also be used in tandem with surgery to boost recovery times.
What happens during PRP therapy?
The PRP procedure starts by taking a small sample of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge. This separates the plasma from the other components. Next, using a specialized optical sensor machine, the platelets are concentrated with the plasma rich in growth factors and platelets. The remaining serum is the re-injected into the area of treatment. At Naples Orthopedic, we use an ultrasound guidance machine for more exact injection. This allows your surgeon to avoid complications with an exact ultrasound picture of your treatment area.
Does PRP Therapy hurt?
PRP treatment is very mild and only requires some small injections. During the blood collection process and the injection process, we can make sure you’re comfortable with a topical numbing cream. You may experience some soreness after treatment, but this subsides quickly.
Who is a good candidate for this procedure?
The best candidates for PRP therapy are patients with musculoskeletal injuries that are not improving, despite trying other methods. During your consultation with Dr. Goldberg, you’ll discuss your treatment options and how PRP can help.
What can PRP Therapy treat?
PRP is currently used in many different medical fields including cosmetics, hair restoration, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Goldberg primarily works with patients looking to treat shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries. It’s also becoming more popular to use PRP as a non-surgical treatment for arthritis, especially in the knee. In these circumstances, this is still a very new procedure and solid research on outcomes is still pending.
How many treatments do I need?
For best results, PRP Therapy should be ongoing. However, your exact treatment plan can depend on different factors like the severity of your injury, its location, and your recovery progress. You’ll talk at length with Dr. Goldberg to discuss whether PRP can be beneficial for you or whether you may need to pursue surgical options.
What are the benefits?
The primary benefit of PRP therapy is that it helps promote healing and relieves pain in an area of injury without surgery. Additionally, it comes with a very low risk of negative reaction since it uses your body’s own natural tissues and platelets. In our experience, it’s most beneficial if your body hasn’t responded or improved with other forms of non-surgical treatment. Many patients try PRP as an alternative treatment before undergoing surgery. PRP has been shown to be a successful treatment option in many different cases.
Schedule a Consultation
PRP Therapy can be an effective option for non-surgical treatment. However, the best way to learn more about whether PRP may be right for you and your health is by meeting with Dr. Goldberg and our team. We invite you to schedule a consultation at our Naples office by calling or filling out our online form.
