Platelet Rich Plasma
Dr. Bronner Handwerger and Dr. Joseph Aiello, two San Diego doctors, are using a cutting edge therapy called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy to mend injuries to joints, tendons and ligaments without surgery. They treat elite athletes who are examples of what we can expect from this cutting edge therapy. The procedure involves deriving concentrated platelets and growth factors from a patient’s own blood with the use of a closed platelet separator system and then injecting them back into the patient’s own injured tissue.
The injection causes a repair response from the body due to the growth factors released within the injured tissue. The repair response begins with the body sending in clean up cells followed by the cells that make collagen and ultimately stem cells. This cascade results in injured tissue being replaced with healthy tissue.
Because the materials used in the treatment are derived from your own body, the chance of adverse drug reactions is eliminated, making the process completely safe. In addition, with the use of closed PRP systems, no other product or material is allowed to enter during the PRP production process. The systems are also completely automatic, which allows for consistent reproducible concentrates of PRP.
Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers used PRP treatment prior to the team's win in the Super Bowl. Major league pitcher Takashi Saito of the Los Angeles Dodgers and approximately 20 professional soccer players have also undergone the procedure. Dr. Handwerger treats a number of NFL and professional athletes using this therapy with great success.
According to sports medicine experts, PRP therapy could lead to more successful treatment of persistent injuries such as chronic elbow tendinitis (tennis elbow) and knee tendinitis for athletes.
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy offers a promising solution to accelerate healing of joint, tendon and ligament injuries, chronic back pain and osteoarthritis naturally without subjecting the patient to significant risk or surgery.
PRP is being covered by many PPO insurances.
Dr. Bronner Handwerger can be contacted at www.docbron.com or by calling 858-254-5433.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
