Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes healing by stimulating new tissue growth. PRP therapy effectively repairs musculoskeletal tissues, treats joint degeneration, and relieves chronic pain. Dr. David Hirsch at the South Texas Spinal Clinic produces PRP using your blood, then uses it in precise injections to treat problems such as arthritis and sports injuries. If you’d like to explore the benefits of PRP therapy, call the office in the South Texas area, or book an appointment online.
Why are Platelets Important for Your Health?
Platelets are a natural component of your blood. When you’re injured, they migrate to the damaged tissues, where their first job is to stop bleeding by making blood clot.
Platelets also have another vital role: They’re rich sources of growth factors that are essential for healing. Numerous growth factors found in platelets stimulate new cell growth and produce many types of tissues.
In this role, platelets are responsible for:
- Reducing inflammation and pain
- Healing and repairing tissues
- Producing collagen, fat, muscles, and connective tissues
- Developing new blood vessels
- Regenerating bone
- Recruiting stem cells to the damaged area
- Increasing stem cell effectiveness
- Preventing soft tissue degeneration
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
PRP is plasma that contains a higher concentration of platelets than the amount typically found in your blood. It’s made from your blood, so it’s safe. You don’t need to worry about adverse reactions.
To produce PRP, Dr. Hirsch draws a blood sample, then places it in a centrifuge that spins the sample around to separate the different components. When the process is over, PRP is removed, filtered to increase platelet concentration, and used in your injection.
What Health Conditions are Treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Dr. Hirsch performs an ultrasound-guided injection to ensure that your PRP is inserted into a precise area in your joint or other damaged tissues. After the injection, the platelets go to work, stimulating new cellular growth, decreasing inflammation, and healing the damage.
PRP is used to treat many musculoskeletal conditions throughout your body, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Epicondylitis
- Ligament, tendon, and muscle tears
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
In some cases, Dr. Hirsch may combine PRP with adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance your healing. MSCs are obtained by extracting bone marrow from your hip. When MSCs are injected into injured and diseases musculoskeletal tissues, they:
- Produce bone, muscle, cartilage, and connective tissues
- Reduce inflammation
- Relieve pain
- Increase blood vessel growth
- Secrete proteins that promote tissue growth
If you have an ongoing orthopedic condition or degenerative joint disease, call Dr. Hirsch or schedule a consultation online to find out if you’re a good candidate for PRP treatment.