PRP Makes Headlines

PRP gains national attention! CBS The Early Show had a significant segment on this topic. We’ve always believed in the healing power of Platelet-Rich Plasma.  At my offices, we’ve been in front of the pack, perfecting the technique and learning from years of experience.

PRP isn’t magic – but it is a terrific approach for combatting certain kinds of pain, injuries and arthritis.  How wonderful it was to see Dr. Sampson on The Early Show, speaking of his successes!  He wrote the foreword segment to my book “Beyond the Knife.”

Every treatment doesn’t work for every person.  But when PRP works, it’s akin to a miracle.  Ask any of my patients who have had great results. Click here to read patient testimonials.  It’s not magic – it’s medicine that works.

Below is the article from CBS The Early Show. Enjoy!

Athletes Thrive with PRP! So Can You.

The news just keeps getting better!  For athletes at Appalachian State University, the initial results were good - and the current results are event better!  If you’ve read the most recent blog post, you’ll remember that several ASU football players have undergone Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, with one of them returning to the field in a week.  Well, X-rays and sonograms prove what their bodies already knew – these athletes are healing miraculously well – and quickly.

It’s not really a miracle – it is modern medicine tied directly to the body’s own healing abilities.  That’s what makes PRP such a great alternative to other options, such as surgery and medication.  By utilizing PRP with Adult Stem Cells (ASC) when necessary, the body can heal quickly, with minimal down time.  Professional and college athletes are turning to PRP more and more.  So are weekend warriors.

You don’t have to be an athlete to feel the benefits.  Everybody suffers injuries from time to time.  PRP might be right for you!  

Platelet Rich Plasma Healing Pitcher's Elbow without Surgery

I recently treated two college baseball pitchers who were suffering from pitcher's elbow and looking at extended time on the bench. Pitcher’s elbow occurs in players that participate in sports that require repetitive throwing. It most frequently affects pitchers, but may also develop in outfielders, catchers, and infielders. Pitcher’s elbow is associated with other sports as well, including tennis and football.

Both pitchers responded very well to Regenerative Injection Therapy and were back on the mound within several weeks. Their parents were so happy with the results that they invited me to meet them at a baseball tournament so they could thank me in person.

It is so gratifying to know that patients like these pitchers are healing and getting back to their normal activities. If you have responded well to platelet rich plasma injections or have any questions, please leave a comment.

Thanks for reading!

Study Shows Positive Results for Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow

My colleague, Dr. Sampson of the Orthohealing Center, posted a blog entry about a study publishing positive results for PRP use in tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. You can read Dr. Sampson's post here.

Both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are common tendon injuries resulting from repetitive motions of the forearm.

Tennis elbow occurs on the outside bony portion of the elbow where large tendons attach to the elbow from the muscles of the forearm. The most common symptoms are pain over the outside of the elbow; pain when lifting objects; pain when radiating down the forearm; and warmth and swelling of the elbow.

Golfer's elbow occurs on the inside of the elbow. The pain usually occurs at the elbow joint on the inside of the arm accompanied by a shooting sensation down the forearm. Pain is also common while gripping objects.

Treatment for both conditions usually includes ice packs, resting the elbow, and anti-inflammatory medications. An elbow brace or cortisone injections may be given, and if the injury is severe, surgery may be necessary. PRP injections, or Renegerative Injection Therapy, offer an alternative or enhancement to surgery. 

As Dr. Sampson's post states, PRP is showing promise in the healing of tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.

A $1.3 million anti-doping research grant includes focus on “blood spinning."

Last week, the Associated Press released a story about a group funded by the NFL and US Olympic Committee awarding $1.3 million in grants for anti-doping research. The research includes a project to study how “blood spinning” therapy – or Regenerative Injection Therapy as we call it – might help athletes.

Regenerative Injection Therapy involves using platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections with stem cells from fat. PRP is extracted using a patient’s own blood, similar to a lab test. The blood is placed in a special machine that spins the blood at high speeds and separates the platelets from the other blood components. The platelets are then concentrated and re-injected into the injured area or arthritic joint. In turn, the platelets release substances known as growth factors that lead to improved natural tissue healing.

Previously, PRP treatments had been banned when injected through the muscles. The World Anti-Doping Agency recently removed them from the banned list after studies showed the injections offered no possibility of performance enhancement.

In my opinion, the concern over PRP muscle injections is an overreaction to the anti-doping rule. PRP is not known to build muscle. It is known to heal damaged muscle tissue. I have performed over 1,000 Regenerative Injection Therapy with PRP treatments. The Therapy has great benefit.

Elite athletes and weekend warriors need to get back on the field, track, tennis court or golf course or in the pool as soon as possible. What needs to be studied is the ideal concentration for various ages and injuries to optimize results and minimize downtime.

I also believe that studies need to be conducted on the efficacy of using PRP for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Check back for more thoughts on that, and as always, please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment for Sports-Related Ankle Injuries

Recently, you might have read about Andre Johnson, a wide receiver for the Houston, Texans who sustained an injury to his ankle. Soon after the initial injury, Johnson reinjured the same ankle. According to FanHouse, Johnson received Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to help aid and speed up the healing process http://www.huffingtonpost.com/?joinow=1&ref=aolnewsof his injury. This process, called Regenerative Injection Therapy, has been used to successfully treat many athletes who have sustained various types of sports injuries. Athletes such as Tiger Woods, Hines Ward, and Troy Polamalu have had success with this treatment.

I use Regenerative Injection Therapy containing PRP in my practice, and my patients are having a lot of success healing faster and alleviating their pain. They are returning to sports much faster and have been able to pursue a better quality of life without needing surgery. PRP is a procedure which uses the patient’s own blood that is extracted from the arm, similar to a lab test. The blood is placed in a special machine that spins it at high speeds. This process separates the platelets from the other blood components. The platelets are then concentrated and re-injected into the injured area or arthritic joint. In turn, the platelets release substances known as growth factors that lead to improved natural tissue healing. Platelets initiate repair and attract the assistance of your body’s own stem cells to facilitate the process of regeneration and remodeling of the damaged area.

Three to four weeks after the first PRP treatment, I will evaluate your progress and determine whether more therapy is needed. Depending on the severity and duration of your injury or disorder, most patients require between one and two treatments.

As PRP therapy now gains popularity in the U.S., it is gaining recognition among doctors and patients alike for having a terrific rate of success. Many believe PRP has the potential to revolutionize sports medicine, orthopedics and beyond, with new applications being discovered daily.

Please feel free to contact my office for a consultation to see if you are a candidate for this exciting natural healing process.