As medical science advances, we learn new ways to unlock the body’s innate healing ability. There’s an entire field dedicated to this: regenerative medicine.
One of the most exciting treatments to emerge from regenerative medicine research is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP uses a small sample of your blood to create a solution of concentrated platelets.
Because your body uses platelets in the healing process, PRP can help with injuries, osteoarthritis, healing after surgery, and more.
At Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Plano and Addison, Texas, Dr. Trace Alexander offers PRP therapy as part of his suite of regenerative medicine treatments.
If you’re dealing with an injury that’s slow to heal, arthritis pain, or another uncomfortable condition, come talk to him and our team, and we can help determine if PRP is right for you.
Let’s explore this leading-edge therapy and how it helps with pain.
Understanding how platelet-rich plasma works starts with understanding its core components: platelets.
Platelets are one part of your blood. When you get hurt, your body directs platelets to the injured area. If you cut your finger while slicing something in the kitchen, for example, platelets go to work to help the blood clot.
But clotting isn’t the only way platelets help. They also contain growth factors, which stimulate and support healing.
That means that PRP doesn’t just mask your symptoms. Instead, it helps relieve pain by supporting your body’s ability to heal. This kind of therapy is still relatively new, but early studies show it’s effective for musculoskeletal pain.
Dr. Alexander offers a specialized type of PRP therapy using the SELPHYL® System. This type adds calcium chloride to the PRP to create platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM). This second generation of PRP therapy builds on that form of regenerative medicine, with notable benefits.
Namely, the fibrin matrix helps growth factors in the area do their healing work longer. That can produce more dramatic healing results and a more notable reduction in your pain levels.
If you live with pain from osteoarthritis or a slow-healing injury, PRP therapy with a fibrin matrix behind it may help you move toward relief. Plus, because it uses your blood, there’s minimal risk of complications.
Come talk with Dr. Alexander, and he can help determine if PRP is right for you. If so, he tailors a treatment plan based on your injury or condition.
To get started, call our team at Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine at 972-899-9797 or book your appointment online today.
