Patients are being treated currently at Sarasota Neurology with PRP (platelet rich plasma) for a wide variety of joint pain and other pain issues. Among the more common uses for PRP are knee pain, shoulder pain and other painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, some types of low back pain. PRP can also be used in patients that have residual joint pain from having had orthopedic arthroscopic knee or shoulder surgery.
PRP works to heal painful joints by using the patients’ own natural biological healing mechanism. The injured or damaged tissue in the joints, ligament and tendons or muscle send out chemical signals that there is injury or incomplete healing. PRP has receptors on the active platelets that seek out these damaged tissues. The PRP graft then biologically and molecularly attach to the damage tissue and trigger the natural healing process of making new collagen. This process takes six weeks to have a full effect although actual healing can continue for up to three months.
PRP may be used in some patients as an alternative to having surgery on their knees, rotator cuffs or in cases of plantar fasciitis (foot pain). Beginning in early 2011, Sarasota Neurology will be offering a new and innovative uses for PRP. This highly effective treatment is ideal for patients who would prefer to avoid the cost, pain and time involved in having surgery for the same problem. Check back with us in February to get more details of this exciting treatment with PRP in Sarasota.