Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a procedure that is used in conjunction with other conventional treatments such as physical therapy to help heal damaged tissue.

The procedure involves the use of a patient’s own blood; specifically, a physician takes blood and places in a filtration system that breaks down red blood cells from the platelets that release proteins and other particles involved in the body’s healing process. The remaining substance is highly concentrated with these platelets and, when injected into the damaged body part, helps foster new soft tissue or bone cell growth.

It is currently being used to treat elbow tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, as well as some acute muscle tears.

Athletes and active individuals who endure chronic pain from tendon injuries or osteoarthritis may finally get relief from a safe, non-surgical procedure. It’s called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, and it utilizes platelets from the athletes’ own blood to rebuild a damaged tendon or cartilage. It has been successful in not only relieving the pain but also in jumpstarting the healing process.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy is done in an exam room and takes less than an hour. The patient’s blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge for 15 minutes to separate out the platelets. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the damaged portion of the tendon or cartilage with the guidance of an ultrasound machine.

Patients are put on a program of relative rest followed by physical therapy for the first 6 weeks. After about 6 to 12 weeks, patients are re-evaluated for improvement. Some patients with more difficult injuries may require more than one injection to achieve successful outcomes. The majority of PRP patients find that within 3 months they can return to most or all of the activities they were doing before the pain started.

While PRP is highly efficacious, it is no longer covered by most insurance plans. PRP is offered by this office as a direct fee for service.

What is bone marrow aspirate concentrate?

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate is made from the fluid taken from bone marrow. The bone marrow aspirate contains stem cells that can help the healing of some bone and joint conditions. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate is obtained with a minimally invasive procedure that avoids the risk of an open bone graft procedure.

What conditions might be helped by mesenchymal stem cells?

Stem cells can be used to help with bone healing, cartilage repair, and new blood vessel growth. Using stem cells may treat delayed union or nonunion of bone fractures, cartilage defects, osteonecrosis, chronic tendon problems or chronic wounds.

General Details of Procedure

The bone marrow aspiration (BMA) procedure is a concentrated serum of your own cells, the procedure is considered “autologous point-of-care”, and we do not expand or manipulate the marrow product other than placing it in a centrifuge. Bone marrow aspiration started in 1970. The procedure is done in the surgical center.

A needle is used to remove bone marrow from within the bone. This is typically done under sedation or general anesthesia. Marrow is commonly taken from the pelvis but may be taken from other sites.

The sample of bone marrow is removed and then spun down in a centrifuge to separate the cells. A liquid is produced that has a high concentration of stem cells. The surgeon injects the stem cells directly into the surgical site.

After aspiration, there usually is pain at the pelvis (or other aspiration site) that goes away within several days. A small dressing or bandage is kept at the aspiration site until it is healed.

Amnion Injections

Amniotic membrane, also known as placental tissue, has been used in wound healing, ophthalmology and plastic surgery for many years. Recently, injections of Amnion have gained popularity in orthopedics based upon its ability to decrease inflammation and enhance healing of damaged tissues. Marked efficacy has been documented in arthritis, fasciitis, epicondylitis, and tendonitis.

The amniotic membrane contains essential, active, healing growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). 8 Amniotic tissues have shown little to no HLA-A/B/C antigens.

It is injected in the office setting to help escalate and support the healing cascade.