Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Therapy 

Regenerative Injection Therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma

Tendons and ligaments are essential to your body, as they’re the things that make your movements possible. Thousands of these tissues are found in your body, and while they’re both connective tissues, their functions vary greatly. Tendons attach muscles to bones and help make function possible, which is why tendon damage is so painful. Wearing your tendons down with overuse causes the collagen fibers that make up the tendons to tear in a condition called tendinosis. The parts of the body that tendons suffer from the most are in the knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, biceps, calf and Achilles tendons. Meanwhile, your ligaments are also made of collagen fibers, and band across the bones to stabilize the joint and control your motions.

Tendons and ligaments have poor blood supply, meaning that the body does not circulate blood to them as readily as other organs, so healing from injuries like sprains, strains, and overwork from repetitive motion can be strenuous. When a ligament is damaged, it is no longer able to provide support to the joint and weakens it; further using the damaged body part stresses the part out and makes it tougher to heal. Tendons and ligaments can become inefficient due to their difficulty in healing, resulting in chronic pain and weak bones and muscles. However, thanks to medical research, a new treatment has formed to possibly help heal your injured joints.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, consists of two important components: plasma, the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, blood cells that grow blood clots and can trigger other forms of healing like cell reproduction and tissue regeneration. Simply put, PRP is blood that is rich in platelets. The platelets in PRP contain reservoirs of bioactive proteins called growth factors that initiate connective tissue healing, bone regeneration/repair, promote blood vessel development and stimulate healing for injuries. This type of treatment is now available at the Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine.

How does PRP Therapy Work?

In blood platelet injection therapy, a small blood sample is taken from the patient and placed in a centrifuge that spins to create the PRP. The process takes only a few minutes, and is meant to increase the amount of platelets and growth factors that will help speed up the injury’s healing process and decrease pain. The solution is injected into the targeted area, and may sometimes use an ultrasound to help.

I've heard of Cortisone Shots, is this the same?

Cortisone injections are a quick fix for temporary relief and lessen inflammation, but in the long-term may actually weaken and damage your joints and bones, thus are administered sparingly. PRP’s effects are slower to feel, but add to the body’s natural healing process and build up your body’s tissues; in some cases, PRP has strengthened and thickened tissues up to 40%!

What are the Potential Benefits of Plasma Replacement Treatment?

Though PRP’s effects may take longer than fast-acting cortisone shots, they will be better in the long run, eliminating the need for aggressive treatments like long-term medication and surgery. As this treatment helps with regeneration, Fort Myers patients may see accelerated wound healing, enhanced recovery and relief from inflammation/arthritis pain.

How many Plasma Replacement treatments & How often is this therapy?

Treatments for Plasma Replacement vary between each person, with most requiring 3-6 sets of injections spaced with around 4 weeks apart. There is also no limit to the amount of PRP treatments you can receive. The risks and side effects do not change according to the number of treatments you get.

Is PRP right for me?

If you’ve tried traditional methods for your tendon or ligament injury and they have not alleviated your pain, receiving PRP therapy in Fort Myers may help you. PRP therapy is less aggressive and less expensive than joint surgery, and can heal tissues with minimal scarring, as well as prevent further degradation of your tissues. Please schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if Platelet Replacement Therapy can work for you.

Are there any special instructions?

Before getting Platelet Replacement Therapy in Fort Myers, you will be restricted from taking any steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and Aspirin) the week before the procedure, and during the time of treatments. Throughout the process, you may feel some soreness and discomfort, but you are able to take acetaminophen such as Tylenol in order to help with the pain. Ice and heat can also help assuage the area’s pain, as needed. After your first week of treatment, you are allowed to exercise and partake in your physical therapy program, but high-impact and aggressive physical activities are discouraged.

How soon can I go back to regular physical activities?

Though PRP will help your tissues regenerate, it is not an instant fix, requiring time and rehabilitation to stimulate the growth and repair of your tendons and ligaments. Our in-house experts will help you determine when you’re fit to resume your physical activities after regular visits.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you or someone you know is in pain, don’t wait to get relief.