Recent advances in orthopedics have focused on minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy, which is an approach that repairs musculoskeletal issues without the impact on the surrounding tissues caused traditional surgical procedures. Other innovations in orthopedics are found in the field of bio-treatments, where the body's natural processes and properties are utilized in the treatment of joints. One such bio-treatment is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in orthopedic treatments and procedures.
As Team Orthopedic Surgeon of the Newark Bears Minor League Baseball team, and as Team Physician for the Johnathan Dayton High School in Livingston, NJ, Dr. Michael Rieber has extensive experience using PRP in the treatment of sports injuries.
Schedule an appointment at his two offices located in Livingston and Newark, New Jersey, to discuss how PRP therapy can treat your musculoskeletal issue.
What is PRP?
Platelets are blood cells that act as the body's natural healing mechanism. Utilizing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) involves drawing a patient's blood and then concentrating the platelets using a centrifuge. This concentration of platelets is then injected directly into the injured area to help speed the healing and recovery process.
What are the Benefits of PRP Therapy
The use of PRP in orthopedic treatment has several benefits for the patient. First, PRP therapy is a non-invasive procedure, as the plasma is injected using a common syringe. When used alongside a surgical procedure, PRP therapy has been shown to greatly reduce recovery time. And, as PRP therapy uses the patient's own blood, the risk of allergic reaction or transmissible infection is minimal or nonexistent.
Surgical and Non-surgical Uses of PRP
First developed in the early 1970s, technological advances have allowed the use of PRP to expand from the hospital environment directly into physician's offices. PRP therapy is used widely to treat common sports-related injuries such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and patellar tendonitis. PRP injections have also been used in the treatment of early osteoarthritis and in joint pain relief.
PRP Therapy in Sports Medicine
Many common sports injuries involve tears to the ligaments of joints, such as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) found in the knee. Unlike muscles, ligaments do not benefit from significant blood flow and are unable to heal themselves adequately after a traumatic injury. With the addition of PRP to the surgical repair procedure of a ligament, there is an influx of healing properties found in the blood directly to the injured area. Combined with modern minimally invasive surgical techniques, the use of PRP has been shown to reduce the amount of recovery time necessary after a ligament tear injury. This allows athletes of every level to return to play sooner.
PRP Therapy at Orthopedics Unlimited
Though PRP is a promising innovation with promising results in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues, it is still a relatively new practice – not a panacea or cure-all for all musculoskeletal injuries. Contact the Livingston and Newark, NJ, offices of Orthopedics Unlimited to have our surgeons help you determine if PRP therapy will be an effective addition in the treatment of your musculoskeletal issue.
Platelet Rich Plasma in management of femoral neck fracture
When the femoral neck of the hip is fractured, the head disconnects from the rest of the thighbone, which causes a disruption of blood flow to the femoral head. This situation makes the fracture unlikely to heal on its own, and will usually worsen over time. Depending on the level of displacement of the bone fracture, as well as the age of the patient, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend hip replacement may to mend the patient's bone, increase their stability and reduce pain.
