How do platelets improve healing?
Your blood naturally contains platelets, which are packed with proteins called growth factors. When your body is injured, growth factors promote healing by stimulating the growth of new cells and tissues.
When platelets reach injured or diseased tissues, they can:
- Reduce inflammation and pain
- Heal and repair tissues
- Trigger production of blood vessels, collagen, fat, muscle, and connective tissues
- Stimulate bone regeneration
- Recruit stem cells to the damaged area
- Increase stem cell effectiveness
What is PRP?
When platelets are used to treat musculoskeletal injury or disease, a high concentration is needed to produce a therapeutic effect. That’s accomplished with PRP, which is plasma that contains a higher level of platelets than the amount typically found in your blood.
Platelet-rich plasma is produced on-site using your blood. Dr. Rabbani places your blood sample in a centrifuge, which spins and separates the platelets from other blood components. Then, he combines the concentrated platelets with a small amount of plasma to create your PRP injection.
What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy refers to injections of adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to promote healing. Stem cells can be injected alone or combined with PRP to boost the treatment’s overall impact.
MSCs are used for stem cell therapy because they can replicate and produce various types of cells to replace injured or diseased tissues. MSCs promote healing by:
- Producing new bone, muscle, cartilage, and fat cells
- Reducing inflammation and relieving pain
- Promoting cell growth
- Increasing blood vessel growth
- Secreting growth factors
How are stem cells harvested?
Your stem cells come from two sources: bone marrow in your hip and body fat. After extracting bone marrow or fat, the sample is processed to separate MSCs, creating a concentrated group of stem cells used in your injection.
What health conditions are treated with PRP and stem cell injections?
Dr. Rabbani uses an ultrasound-guided injection to precisely target the damaged tissues. After the concentrated platelets or stem cells are in place, they begin to stimulate new cell growth and healing.
PRP and stem cell injections help treat many conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament, tendon, and muscle tears
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
To learn whether PRP or stem cell injections can help your condition, call Ramin Rabbani, MD or book an appointment online today.
