How PRP Treatment Can Help You Overcome an Injury

Injuries can derail your life, making it difficult to get back to what you love doing most — whether that’s a physical career, a sport you can’t bear being benched from, or even simply an active life as a senior enjoying outdoor activities. 

Dr. Philip Regala practices orthopedic medicine in Naples, Florida. He can help your body power up its healing processes with natural treatments like stem cell therapy and PRP therapy that boost your body’s natural abilities to regenerate damaged tissue.

PRP basics

What exactly is PRP? Platelet-rich plasma is often referred to as a serum with healing properties, and it’s easily created using just your own blood. In some cases, stem cells can be used alongside PRP treatment to enhance its healing powers.

Your blood contains red and white blood cells and platelets, all suspended in plasma. To make bioidentical PRP, Dr. Regala withdraws a blood sample, centrifuges it to spin out the red and white blood cells, and concentrates the platelets in the plasma. Then he reinjects the PRP into the site needing restorative treatment. 

The platelets contain growth factors. These attract other growth factors to the injection site. The growth factors encourage tissue regrowth and regeneration, helping the area heal more quickly and thoroughly. They can also reduce swelling, inflammation, and discomfort.

PRP and joint injuries 

PRP therapy is still a fairly new treatment, and research is ongoing. However, there’s no disputing that it can be extremely beneficial in treating injuries, especially difficult-to-treat joint injuries.

The doctor can inject the PRP into the injured site instead of going straight to surgery, using ultrasound to carefully guide the injection so it goes right where it’s needed most. He may also use PRP after shoulder surgery or other joint surgery, to help call growth factors in the body to the site in order to speed healing and reduce pain. 

One of the main reasons PRP is so good for joint injuries is that joints heal slowly due to low blood flow (muscles have high blood flow, but joints are mostly bone, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage). PRP triggers tissue regrowth and regulates inflammation, whether used as a stand-alone therapy or after arthroscopic surgery as a supplemental treatment. 

Do you have a joint injury that isn’t responding to conservative treatments, or are you slated for shoulder surgery or knee surgery in the near future? To learn more about PRP and stem cell therapy and find out if they could be right for you, consult with Dr. Regala. You can schedule an appointment by calling 239-325-1131, or book online.