Because of innovations in orthopedic medicine today, patients can find pain relief or have damaged joints repaired through a range of orthobiological treatments. These treatments include the facilitation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, articular cartilage restoration, and stem cell technology.
How PRP Therapy Can Be Used for Healing
So, if you consult with a joint restoration and preservation specialist in Pensacola, FL, you will want to inquire about PRP therapy, for example. This non-surgical treatment involves the injection of a concentrated mix of blood extracted from the patient. Injecting PRP relieves both chronic and acute pain conditions while accelerating the healing process for damaged joints and tissues.
If you talk to a joint restoration and preservation specialist, he or she will tell you that PRP is used for such conditions as osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and meniscus tears. Typically, PRP is indicated when the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or bones are not healing as they should. PRP is then used to speed up healing and reduce pain.
Preparing the Blood for Injection
In order to facilitate a PRP treatment, a joint restoration and preservation specialist removes a small blood sample from the patient. This sample is then placed in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood sample, so it is separated into its main components, namely white blood cells and platelets, red blood cells, and plasma.
This type of procedure is featured at medical facilities such as Panhandle Orthopaedics. According to medical practitioners at the site, the injected blood product removes damaged cells, which allows the tissue to heal. In addition, other cells proliferate so that the damaged tissue can be rebuilt. Because the healing is accelerated, pain is substantially reduced, and patients experience enhanced joint functioning and strength.
You can learn more about this type of orthobiologic treatment by reviewing the procedure online. As indicated, other treatments to consider include stem cell procedures and articular cartilage restoration.