It’s called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies, which uses a patient’s own plasma to stimulate healing. The procedure works best for chronic ligament and tendon sprains and strains when conventional treatment has not helped.
John Baldea, M.D., and Robyn Fean, M.D., sports medicine experts and members of St. Francis Medical Group, are specially trained in the PRP therapy.
Here's how it works: Blood is drawn from a patient during an office v
isit and placed in a special centrifuge which separates the platelets from other blood cells. Platelets are cells that contain a high concentration of growth factors, which can promote aling.
“After the wound area has been anesthetized, the PRP is injected into the wound area using ultrasound to ensure accurate placement,” said Baldea.
Following initial treatment, a follow-up visit is scheduled several weeks later to evaluate the healing.
“Some patients respond well to just one treatment,” said Fean, adding that it is typical for patients to receive two or more treatments to receive the maximum benefit of the therapy.
To learn more about PRP and other services offered by St. Francis Sports Medicine, go to www.s
tfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=4&tabid=54.
