Regenerative treatments, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy, have been around for decades. But in recent years, advancements in pioneering technology have made them even more beneficial for treating a range of orthopaedic injuries and conditions.
Endeavor Health sports medicine specialist Trevor Bullock, DO, has been a leader in the rapidly growing field, helping to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
PRP is a concentrated form of platelets created by drawing a patient’s own blood and processing it a centrifuge. The PRP is then injected into the injured area to help your body’s natural healing process. The whole process is completed in one office visit, generally taking a little longer than an hour.
“In the past 15 years there have been a lot of advancements in the way we process PRP and how we deliver it,” said Dr. Bullock. Using sophisticated ultrasound guidance for more precise delivery/ injection is one of the significant progressions.
Changing the way PRP is processed allows specialists like Dr. Bullock to better tailer the treatment to the specific condition being treated, he explained.
For example, we’ve learned that using PRP to help manage plantar fasciitis responds better to different cell types than those used to treat knee arthritis, added Dr. Bullock.
“If we’re treating tendon or ligament injuries, tendinopathies or chronic pain from arthritis the specific condition will determine how we formulate the PRP,” he said. Changing the concentration of various cells allows physicians to create different PRP formulas.
Ongoing research and outcomes studies have helped and will continue to improve advancements in the regenerative treatment used for many common injuries and orthopaedic problems, from tennis elbow to Achilles’ tendon issues.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cell therapy used to help repair and treat muscle, bone, joint and soft tissue injuries can be a more robust treatment than PRP and can help with bigger injuries. These treatments at hospitals and reputable clinics are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Stem cells are taken from a patient’s own concentrated bone marrow or fat tissue cells.
While stem cell therapy can offer great benefits for many patients, particularly with soft tissue injuries, it cannot regenerate a damaged joint or cure arthritis, and Dr. Bullock suggests using caution if a provider makes those claims or promises.
Like PRP, stem cell therapy has improved in recent years with enhanced delivery methods and new techniques like bioplasty procedures which show some early promising results. This consists of drilling into the bone above cartilage to inject the stem cell concentrate to treat early arthritis symptoms.
Continual refinements
Results from regenerative treatments take time, and depending on the patient and the injury it can take anywhere from several weeks to three months for people to experience decreased pain and improved mobility and function.
Dr. Bullock and his colleagues work to set realistic expectations for patients and make it clear that not everyone and every injury is a candidate for successful treatment with PRP or stem cell therapy.
“We are continuing to refine and improve regenerative medicine and it’s very rewarding to help so many people, from weekend warriors to competitive athletes, return to their sports and daily activities,” said Dr. Bullock.
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