PRP and Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy are among the newest advanced regenerative treatments available today, and they are often confused with one another. While stem cells have the ability to differentiate and form brand new cells, platelets are a small fragment of blood cells, which help in clotting and enhance the healing process. The growth factors present in the platelets work to simulate those cells essential for a quicker recovery.
Platelets are cells that clot blood and contain over 300 active growth factors. They also contain hormones that help to facilitate growth and healing. The process of extraction followed by centrifugation of the blood allows platelet-rich plasma to be separated from the original sample, which is then injected into the site of the injury.
The History of Regenerative Therapy
Doctors have used PRP therapy on an increasing basis since the mid-1990s. A significant amount of this work has focused on repairing bone structures following spinal injury and aiding in soft tissue recovery following plastic surgery. Positive results from early trials led to an expansion in the use of PRP for almost all medical applications.
Orthopaedic surgeons have reported that PRP helps to enhance the body’s natural healing process in both bone and tissue, while offering pain relief to patients with chronic pain issues. The past decades of trials and active use of PRP since the early 2000s clearly supports the fact that non-invasive PRP treatments have the potential to support cartilage health and reduce pain. PRP therapy is also helping to accelerate or augment the soft tissue healing process in some patients.
Regenerative medicine is one of the most promising non-invasive technologies to come on the scene in the field of orthopaedics in some time. While surgical techniques in orthopaedics continue to advance for patients needing radical treatment for bone and joint issues, regenerative medicine provides a unique group of therapies that make it possible for physicians to promote a patient’s own tissue regeneration. This technique can lead to long-term healing of what may otherwise be irreparable orthopaedic injuries.
PRP treatments are available through the Centers of Excellence from many of the SRO surgeons. SRO offers patients in-house diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, sports injury prevention, as well as advanced surgical treatments in joint replacement, sports medicine, spine care, trauma care, hand, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow and general orthopedic surgery. To learn more, visit the SRO website and to make an appointment call 707-546-1922.
