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Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Improve Tissue Healing

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Improve Tissue Healing

A study from the University of Alberta Sports Medicine Clinic has shown that  PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections given to patients  with chronic shoulder pain, not only improved pain and function, but enhanced the healing process in the tissues.  This was the first study to document the enhancement of tissue healing, using before and after MRI studies of the shoulder.

Dr. Doug Gross one of the studies authors says,”Based on MRI findings before and after the injections, we saw improvements in the tissue six months later in five of seven patients undergoing PRP and an appropriate rehabilitation program. The healing in the tissue appeared to correspond with the reported improvement of the pain and also with the clinical assessment of function”

Lead author of the study Marni Wesner, sports medicine physician explained their procedure; “We studied patients 35 to 60 years old with rotator cuff tendinopathy due to normal aging. For the first time, we were able to not only find reported improvements in pain and mobility, but also in the tissue — the MRI before and after showed structural change and a decrease in the size of tears.”

Platelet-rich plasma injection  is an increasingly popular  therapeutic procedure  for the treatment of both acute and chronic  injuries. It involves collecting blood from the patient’s arm, separating the platelets via centrifuge and injecting it back into the patient’s injured tissue area to augment the body’s natural healing response. Treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma has received increased attention after it became known that sports starts like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and Alex -Rodriguez  have been treated with it.

One study subject 58 year old retired police offers Debbie Brown describes her results as life changing “For the past two years, I have tried everything for my right shoulder. Physio would help for a bit but then the problem would still be there. I tried acupuncture, Kinesio tape, cortisol injections — you name it, I’ve tried it,” she said. “Once I did the PRP, it really did fix everything!  I can work out and be active again.PRP makes me feel like I’m in my 20s!”.

For more about PRP treatment at Dr. Sobo’s office see prp https://drsobo.com/dr-sobos-prp-platelet-rich-plasma-program/

For the best care in Integrative Medicine call Henry C. Sobo, M.D., at 203-348-8805 or write us at [email protected]