How PRP therapy can treat sport injuries
As an athletic person, injuries can sideline you when you are trying to accomplish your dreams in your favorite sport or when trying to meet a fitness goal. You can treat minor sports injuries at home with rest, ice, compression and elevation, along with over-the-counter medications. This method, however, may not be effective in treating debilitating sports injuries. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy is an example of a non-surgical procedure that can help you to get back on track.
Dr. Javier Placer and Dr. Ruben Rivera at Florida Spine and Pain institute are Board Certified Interventional Pain Management physiatrists who are qualified to administer PRP Therapy on site. If you are dealing with sports injuries and would like to learn more about PRP then continue reading.
What is Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy or PRP is a type of regenerative medicine that involves drawing a patient’s own blood and concentrating the levels of platelets and growth factors. This concentrated sample is then injected into the injured musculoskeletal tissue to promote healing.
PRP is used to treat soft tissue injuries as they are known to become stalled in the healing process. That’s because soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments experience less blood flow than muscles.
The procedure is viewed as a more natural approach to sports injuries. You may consider it if you want a minimally invasive and relatively painless alternative to surgery.
How Does Platelet-rich Plasma Work?
PRP is simply plasma with many more platelets than what is usually present in the blood. By isolating your platelets in a centrifuge, the concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times richer than usual.
After this process, your physiatrist or another doctor will inject the PRP directly into your inflamed tissue. This will lead to an increase of reparative cells which activate and accelerate the healing process. Depending on the severity of your sports injury, you will have to see Dr. Placer or Dr. Rivera for additional injections to complete the healing process.
What Sports Injuries are Treated by Platelet-rich Plasma?
PRP injections are effective in the treatment of sports injuries, such as
Tennis Elbow
In this condition, forearm tendons become inflamed, typically from overuse and repetitive stress. Although it is common among Tennis players, other persons who engage in repetitive arm movements are also susceptible. People such as rock climbers, painters, carpenters, cooks and assembly line workers who experience Tennis Elbow can also benefit from PRP injections.
çRotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint is also vulnerable to sports injuries. Repetitive overhead arm motions like shooting hoops or throwing a baseball can cause tears in this area. The condition may also be a result of falls and other accidents.
You may be a candidate for Platelet rich plasma injections if your assessment reveals that you have partial tears and inflammation. If the tears and inflammation are extreme then you may need surgery.
Plantar Fasciitis
Another sports injury that can benefit from Platelet rich plasma injections is Plantar fasciitis. This chronic condition results in severe heel pain and is common among runners or people who spend much time standing or walking. Without treatment, plantar fasciitis can advance to bone spurs that require surgery.
Jumper’s Knee
This condition, also known as Patellar Tendonitis affects the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shin bone, resulting in pain and swelling. It is prevalent among basketball and volleyball players who constantly jump while they play. Platelet-rich plasma injections can treat the pain you feel when you walk, run or jump, or when you bend your leg.
Platelet-rich Plasma Injections Available in Davenport, Clermont and Orlando, FL
If you have further questions about PRP injections you can get in touch with the team at Florida Spine and Paint Institute. As specialists in pain management and sports medicine Drs Javier Placer and Ruben Rivera can expertly treat your sports injury among other types of pain. If you want to get back in the game, schedule an online appointment with us today.
