Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Specialist
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Legacy Orthopaedics
Thomas D. Riley, IV, MD
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon & Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialist located in Miami, FL
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and other regenerative injection treatments like stem cell therapy boost the natural healing process already taking place at the site of tissue damage. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Thomas Riley IV, MD, utilizes PRP therapy at Legacy Orthopaedics in Miami, Florida, to assist in treatment for osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries. To schedule a treatment consultation, call Legacy Orthopaedics or book an appointment online today.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Q & A
What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an injectable regenerative treatment using components from your blood that help with healing. PRP is a liquid and contains plasma, the liquid base of your blood, and platelets, which are a type of cell fragment in your blood that help with clotting and damage repair.
When injected near an injury or area of damage, PRP helps stimulate or accelerate the natural healing that your body already does for itself. The treatment works well for musculoskeletal injuries and is widely used among athletes.
Similar to PRP therapy, Legacy Orthopaedics offers stem cell therapy. Both PRP therapy and stem cell therapy are regenerative and use cells from your own body. Dr. Riley can harvest stem cells from your bone marrow or other sources, like fat.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become various other cell types in the body. In this way, they can repair damaged tissue.
What can platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy help treat?
PRP therapy and stem cell therapy can both be used in addition to many other treatments available at Legacy Orthopaedics. Dr. Riley often uses PRP and stem cell therapy as an important part of treatment for conditions and injuries such as:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of joint inflammation that develops over time as the cartilage in your joints wears down. PRP injections are especially beneficial for knee osteoarthritis.
Tendon injuries
Your tendons fill the role of attaching muscles to bone. They can overstretch or even tear, causing issues like tennis elbow or jumper’s knee.
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains affect muscles and ligaments. You might also know them as pulled muscles.
What kind of preparation does platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy require?
Since PRP uses components straight out of a sample of your own blood, the process of getting PRP injections starts with a blood draw. Dr. Riley reviews your medical history beforehand to make sure you don’t have any blood disorders that could impact the effectiveness of the treatment.
After drawing your blood, Dr. Riley puts the sample into a high-speed spinning machine called a centrifuge. After about 10-15 minutes, the centrifugal force causes the different blood cell types to separate into distinct layers of similar cells.
One of the layers, containing almost all platelets, is the platelet-rich plasma. Dr. Riley transfers it into a syringe for your injections. He injects it at the injury site.
Are you interested in learning more about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and how it might help repair your injury? Call Legacy Orthopaedics or schedule an appointment online today.
