No matter how invested in sport you are, the odds are high that you’ll be injured from time to time. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments for sports injuries, though many of them either require sitting out and resting for weeks (or months), or undergoing surgery.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections offer a highly effective third alternative for many common sports and other injuries. PRP injections are minimally invasive, safe, and quick. Instead of being sidelined for long stretches, athletes (and non-athletes) can now benefit from PRP treatment’s faster recovery times. View this video about PRP featuring our Medical Director, Dr. Douglas W. Stoddard.
What is PRP Treatment?
Platelet-rich plasma injections are a form of regenerative medicine that involves drawing a small amount of an individual’s blood and isolating the platelets. Platelet-rich plasma has the ability to heal and even regenerate damaged, lost, or aging tissue. Platelet-rich plasma injections can be helpful for a variety of injuries, especially when an injury is slow in healing, or when patients want to speed up healing beyond the average healing times most people experience. Tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries are all potential sites for PRP injections.
A trained sports medicine doctor or orthopedic surgeon injects the concentrated plasma into a predetermined location close to the injury. Ultrasound is used to visualize the path of the plasma towards the targeted structure.
Platelets aren’t the only thing within PRP. They also contain certain components called growth factors. These components are critical to the body’s natural healing mechanisms for soft-tissue and bone.
PRP for Tennis Elbow:
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is effectively treated by PRP injections. Tennis elbow involves the inflammation of forearm tendons due to repetitive stress and overuse. Despite the name, the condition isn’t restricted to tennis players. Rock climbers, cooks, carpenters, assembly line workers, painters, and anyone else who repeatedly moves their arms can develop tennis elbow. PRP injections can initiate and speed up healing in the tendons because the latter don’t receive as much blood as muscles and soft-tissues, and are slow to heal.
PRP for Rotator Cuff Injuries:
The rotator cuff is commonly injured by those who participate in sports-related activities. Overhead arm movements performed repeatedly can cause the rotator cuff to develop issues. Falls are also particularly damaging to them. If a rotator cuff sustains a full tear, it will need to be surgically repaired. However, inflammation and partial tears can heal well with PRP treatment.
PRP for Plantar Fasciitis:
Runners and athletes who rely on their feet are likely to develop plantar fasciitis. This foot injury causes severe pain in the heels. If left unaddressed, it can lead to bone spurs. Not only will PRP injections help relieve pain; they will also initiate healing.
As one of the leading sports and regenerative medicine centres in the Greater Toronto area, SEMI offers PRP treatment, injection therapy, non-surgical treatments for sports injuries, and massage therapy and physiotherapy,.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
