Platelet-rich plasma or PRP uses a patient's own blood components to stimulate a healing response in damaged tissues. The body naturally depends on platelets and white blood cells from the blood to initiate a healing response following trauma or an injury. Platelets store numerous growth factors which are released in response to signals from the injured tissue. Modern technology allows the concentration of platelets and white blood cells from a patient’s own blood. This growth factor is released when the solution is injected directly into injured tissue, simulating this same healing response only in a more powerful form. By enhancing the body’s natural healing capacity, the treatment may lead to a more rapid, more efficient, and more thorough restoration of the tissue to a healthy state.
Bone Marrow Concentrate is an injectable solution can be produced by harvesting blood and tissue from the bone marrow space of the hip. In this process platelets and cells are withdrawn from the body through a simple outpatient needle aspiration procedure. This is usually done with a local anesthesia and/or light sedation in an out- patient setting. A significant proportion of our bodies’ Regenerative Cell Therapy/ Orthobiologics are contained within our bone marrow. BMC contains all of the growth and healing factors in PRP, along with concentrated stem-like cells which further contribute to the regenerative process.
Indications for PRP and BMC in Shoulder conditions include Shoulder and Arm Pain, Rotator Cuff tendonitis, partial shoulder tears, tendonitis, Medial and Lateral epicondylitis (golfers & tennis elbow) are all indications for PRP and/or BMC in the shoulder.
Treatment One to three injections are suggested depending on the severity and duration of the injury. Following the initial treatment with PRP or BMC, a follow up visit occurs 3-4 weeks later. An evaluation of response to the initial therapy is performed at this visit and a decision is made regarding the need for additional PRP treatments. Chronic injuries often require more than one injection. In both acute and chronic injuries, injections may be combined with an exercise or physical therapy program to enhance the success of the treatment. Often an "achy" soreness is felt at the site of injury for several days following the initial injection. This "soreness" is a positive sign that a healing response is occurring and gradually decreases as healing and tissue repair occur. It is important that anti-inflammatory medications such as lbuprofen, Naproxen and Aspirin be avoided following PRP treatments. These medicines may block the effects of the intended healing response facilitated by the injection itself. It is acceptable to use over the counter pain medication, such as Tylenol and in some cases a prescribed analgesic, which does not have anti-inflammatory properties, to control discomfort as needed. Pain management options will be discussed with you by the physician managing your treatment plan. You will be permitted to resume normal day to day activities and !igñt exercise following injection. Avoid strenuous lifting or high-level exercise for at least severaI days after injection.