Recent scientific advances in the field of orthopedic biologics (orthobiologic “regenerative medicine”) have begun to uncover the potential of a patient’s own healing power in the treatment of acute & chronic tissue injury. This can range from simple ankle or elbow sprains to chronic/recurrent hamstring or groin pulls, tennis elbow, thrower/swimmer’s shoulder or even runner’s knee.
While safely used for years in Europe, strong evidence now exists that your own (“autologous”) growth factors can provide powerful and long-lasting relief from mild-to-moderate injury after direct injection into the affected site. This is the basis for the office-based PRP injection, a welcome alternative to pain and disability, allowing an athlete of any age or ability to participate more quickly and fully in the sports and activities they enjoy.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) from your own blood helps initiate the natural healing process via seven or more specific growth factors and presents a “biologic scaffold” for healing. This tissue infusion delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory and recovery signal, often substantially relieving pain and improving function. It may also act as a magnet for the body’s own healing stem cells.
There are many different preparations of PRP to choose from. The one we have chosen is based on extensive experimental study and several years of clinical use in recreational and even professional athletes, exhibiting a strong record of success in relieving pain and promoting repair. With just one or two injections, improvement is often profound and long-lasting.
While the process is FDA-approved, this specific combination is not covered by most insurance plans (see the ABN). As with all new and innovative techniques, further study is ongoing, but there seems to be very little risk of side effects, especially compared to steroids that may relieve pain short-term but can weaken healing tissues & are not a product of your own body like PRP. Studies have shown that PRP injection in combination with a complementary oral medication can speed recovery of acute sprains by days to weeks and provide pain relief for chronic injuries where time and treatment have failed. This can translate into a quicker, more complete return to sport and activity.
During the two or so days after injection, you should ice the joint and take Tylenol (no anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen/ Advil, Aleve, or aspirin) and resume normal activity without exercise. Gentle range of motion of the joint is encouraged. Area soreness may be more noticeable for the first few days. After two weeks, you can resume your normal exercise schedule at half the normal pace and/or distance and gradually ramp up your level from there; you should let pain be your guide. Physical therapy may also be recommended. At 2 to 4 weeks, a second PRP injection may be scheduled.
Feel free to review these issues with and ask any questions of Dr. Cunningham prior to deciding on a treatment for your joint condition. More information about these products can be found at AustinOrthoBio.com and the associated internet links.
Disclaimer: Austin Ortho+Biologics is not affiliated with the data, content, or conclusions of this article.
