PRP Therapy (Orthobiologics)

PRP Therapy is a new form of orthopedic treatment in the category of orthobiologics that is showing great results in healing injuries to bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments without surgery. It’s a combination of biology and biochemistry used to regenerate bone and soft tissue. This is done by using substances that naturally occur in our own bodies called stem cells. Because of the healing capabilities of stem cells, doctors have developed ways to bring them to an injury site faster and in greater numbers. This is done through Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy.

A patient’s blood is drawn, then the platelets and plasma are separated from the rest of the blood. Platelet Rich Plasma is filled with hundreds of proteins called growth factors. When the Platelet Rich Plasma is injected into the tendon or other area of the body, the growth factors will send a signal to cells, telling them what type of function each should have. In this case they are directed to turn into cells specific to tendons, bones or muscle depending on where the PRP is injected into the patient. This increased presence of growth factors in the muscle, tendon or bone increases the rate of healing, hopefully getting our patients back to a normal level of activity quicker than possible without the PRP injection. With PRP therapy SROSM uses ultrasound guided injections. Ultrasound guided joint injections are an advanced method of treatment that allow the ultrasound images to guide the needle to the site of injury. 

Patients who are not a candidate for surgery but are experiencing day to day pain due to their injury with no significant relief from physical therapy, may be candidates for PRP Therapy. This could include those with:

• Golfer’s Elbow
• Tennis Elbow
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Plantar Fasciitis

According to the American Journal of Sports Medicine, patients with chronic elbow tendinosis showed the following results after the PRP injection:

• 46% pain relief by 4 weeks
• 60% pain relief by 8 weeks
• 81% pain relief by 6 months

At the conclusion of the study, 93% of the patients were completely satisfied with the treatment and had avoided surgery.

At SROSM we’re able to perform PRP Therapy in our office, as well as use it as an adjunct in surgery. If you’re a candidate for PRP Therapy, we will explain the process carefully so that healing can begin as quickly and as effectively as possible.