PRP Orthopedic Injections Overview
The success stories associated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy helping return professional athletes to competitive sports quickly continues to lead orthopedic medicine headlines. Many residents living in the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado communities are not aware that blood platelet injection therapy was developed in the 1970s, but orthopedic and sports medicine physicians have only recently turned to this biologic treatment to help accelerate the body’s natural healing response following an injury. Dr. Matthew Provencher leads the way in orthopedic research, education and innovative treatments, and offers PRP orthopedic injections to professional athletes, weekend warriors and active individuals in the Greater Denver area.
Common Uses of PRP Orthopedic Injections
Dr. Provencher and his orthopedic team commonly recommend PRP orthopedic injections to help accelerate healing of these soft tissue injuries:
- Cartilage injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Degenerative joint disorders, such as osteoarthritis
In many cases, blood platelet injection therapy is used to treat acute muscle and ligament injuries, such as sprains, strains, tendonitis and pulled muscles.
How Blood Platelet Injection Therapy Works
Blood found within the human body is composed of four main structures that include red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. When activated, it is clinically proven platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. Growth factors are a naturally occurring protein with the ability to stimulate cellular growth and accelerate the human body’s natural healing response.
When these growth factors are injected into an injured area of the body through blood platelet injection therapy, they promote a natural healing response that can be helpful in reducing recovery time in a variety of orthopedic soft tissue injuries.
How PRP Orthopedic Injections are Performed by Dr. Matthew Provencher
To begin blood platelet injection therapy, Dr. Provencher must harvest a patient’s blood during a simple venous draw, most commonly from the arm. After the blood sample is collected, it is spun in a special machine known as a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood structures. The concentration of platelets is then increased during a process called centrifugation.
The platelet rich plasma is then injected directly into the damaged soft tissue to help accelerate healing. The growth factors and platelets activate once they reach the injured area.
If you live in the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado area and would like more information on blood platelet injection therapy, or to determine if you are a candidate for PRP orthopedic injections, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Matthew Provencher today.
Biologic Therapy FAQ
- How do BMC stem cell injections, platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections and amniotic fluid-derived allografts accelerate the healing process of orthopedic injuries?
- Are BMC stem cell injections, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and allografts all considered regenerative therapies?
- Why is bone marrow concentrate (BMC) called a stem cell “like” therapy?
- Is there an age limit for BMC stem cell injections?
- Do all platelet rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) stem cell therapies provide the same healing and regeneration benefits?
- Why doesn’t my insurance cover this treatment?
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