Do have a sports injury such as a rotator cuff tear or ACL tear? Whether you are a professional athlete or simply an active individual, it can take several months to heal from a ligament, tendon, or muscle injury. However, there is a new treatment option to help relieve pain and speed up the rate of healing.
It's called Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy, or PRP therapy. S.M.A.R.T. Spine Institute and Surgery Center is proud to offer this revolutionary therapy from our pain management clinic in Arcadia, CA. Our doctors are among a select few of medical practitioners to provide PRP treatment in Arcadia for patients in the San Gabriel Valley area .
What is PRP Therapy?
This safe, non-surgical procedure has been found to re-establish function to injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, commonly found in athletes and physically active people. Professional athletes like Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods have been using it for over a decade. Research has found that PRP treatment helps jump start the healing process and improve recovery time.
PRP therapy refers to the use of plasma found in blood. Plasma contains a high concentration of "platelets." Platelets contain "growth factors," which are said to promote healing and tissue regeneration, speeding the healing process.
Treatment comes in the form of “PRP injections.”
How It Works:
Treatment is a quick outpatient procedure performed at our PRP clinic in Arcadia. The procedure will vary from patient to patient, but typically the standard session goes like this:
1.) Blood is withdrawn from the patient
2.) Blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun to “concentrate the platelets” (i.e., separate the platelet-rich plasma from the blood).
3.) Our PRP doctors inject the concentrated platelets into the damaged portion of the tendon or cartilage.
What To Expect: PRP Treatment in Our Arcadia Clinic
During your first visit at our PRP clinic in Arcadia, we'll discuss your situation and evaluate the extent of your injury. Depending on the injury and/or damaged area, we will make recommendations for the appropriate number of injections and the possible treatment options that can help with the healing process.
If we determine that the treatment is appropriate for your situation, then we draw blood as the foundation to develop the platelets and plasma used in the treatment. In most cases, you will need 1-3 injections with platelets to the injured area.
PRP Injections & Amniotic Graft Injections
As another treatment option, amniotic membrane graft injections may be used in conjunction with PRP injections. Amniotic graft injections can help expedite recovery and repair damaged tissues in joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and plantar fascia. When done together, patients report significant long lasting pain relief and faster healing time. Our doctors will determine if this option is suitable for your individual needs.
Post PRP Treatment
While the process does help with healing, it takes time before the PRP injection(s) shows a positive result. Since it works with your body's natural healing processes, your body mends over a period of time. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the exact amount of time required before you notice a clear impact on your body will vary; however, most individuals notice positive benefits within a few weeks and the injuries heal over time.
Recovery time after the injection depends on the injury and the location, but generally takes roughly 48 hours to two weeks for most areas of the body. You may need a sling or additional support for the injured area until the area heals and recovers. We then follow up on the treatment and evaluate the healing process before making further recommendations for treatment and recovery.
PRP therapy allows your body to heal and recover after an accident or injury. By using appropriate tools and working with experienced medical and chiropractic professionals, you have the chance to encourage the healing process.
Find Out If You Are A Candidate
If you are suffering from a tendon injury or osteoarthritis, you may be a good candidate for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. To learn more or schedule a consultation, call our office today at 626-513-0840.