Ortho-Biologic Therapy
What is Ortho-Biologic Therapy
A PRP Injection is a platelet rich plasma treatment option for a multitude of acute and chronic painful conditions. Examples are as follows:
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Achilles Tendinitis/Tendinosis
- Patellar Tendinitis/Tendinosis
- Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tears and Labral Tears
- Knee Meniscal Tears and ACL Tears
- Osteoarthritis Pain (Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Ankle)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain (Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Ankle)
- Sports Injuries (Sprains and Strains)
- Overuse Syndromes (Plantar Fasciitis, Bursitis, CarpalTunnel Syndrome, Patellofemoral Pain, IT Band Syndrome)
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Chronic Neck and Low Back Pain
Tendinitis is an acute inflammation of a tendon due to a recent injury. Tendinosis is chronic degeneration of a tendon due to connective tissue micro-tears. The degenerated portion of a tendon is weaker than normal tendon, and may be at risk of progressing to a tear later in the course of the disease. PRP is prepared by centrifugation of a patient’s blood, and extracting special prepared platelets with a small amount of plasma. Further centrifugation allows for platelet rich plasma without red blood cells and neutrophils which greatly diminishes the pain and inflammation. The PRP is then injected into the area of tendonitis/tendinosis. PRP contains high concentrations of growth factors known as cytokines which initiates a cascade of events, including the recruitment of progenitor (stem-cell like) cells, leading to tissue regeneration through new blood vessel growth and collagen synthesis.
Dr. Eran Kessous and Dr. Jessica Curran at MSMC utilize cutting edge technology to offer the highest concentrated and purest form of platelet rich plasma, ensuring the best possible patient outcomes. They enjoy a high success rate in healing bone, muscle, joint, soft tissue, and nerve injuries with regenerative procedures. These therapies fill the needs of patients who still have pain after traditional treatments like physical therapy, rest, NSAIDs, pain management, and/or surgery have failed.
The Procedure
What can I expect when I come to the office?
An initial visit will be needed to determine if you are a candidate for PRP injection. An MRI may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out the other local complication conditions. Patients for whom traditional treatment with medications and therapy have failed may be candidates for PRP injection. If PRP is determined to be an option, the procedure will be scheduled on a different day, and will take about one hour.
When can I expect relief?
PRP injection does not provide immediate relief; instead, it sets in motion a repair mechanism that does take some time. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine showed the following results in patients with chronic elbow tendinosis:
- 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 patients were completely satisfied.
What are the risks associated with this treatment?
PRP uses your body’s own natural properties to treat your injury. Side effects utilizing PRP systems are very uncommon.
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
While PRP treatments have been around for many years, many insurance companies still consider this treatment experimental and deny coverage. Your physician’s office will contact your insurance company to confirm if they will cover this procedure. If your insurance will not cover the treatment, your physician may discuss other options.