Your skeletal and your muscular system are both key to your daily physical well-being. Many of us have broken a bone in the past, and maybe some of us have torn or severely sprained a muscle, but few of us know what it is like to suffer an injury that impacts both the skeletal and the muscular system (known as musculoskeletal) at the same time.
Because muscles need the skeleton as a support, and bones cannot move without muscles, damage to both can be devastating. Musculoskeletal injuries, such as those suffered while playing sports and or in automobile accidents, typically have lengthy rehabilitation periods and can be the trigger for long-term pain.
PRP Therapy Can Help the Body Heal More Effectively and With Greater Speed
Over the past few years autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP therapy, has become increasingly popular as a treatment for such injuries. It has become very popular within the realm of sports science.
Plasma is the naturally-occurring fluid in which red blood cells and other types of cell including platelets are suspended in order to create blood. PRP is blood that has a higher concentration of platelets. It is the job of platelets to create blood clots. If an area of your body is damaged then your brain responds by increasing the number of platelets around the damaged area. The platelets form a clot that stops the unwanted bleeding.
PRP Uses a Patient’s Own Blood in Order to Create Blood That is Platelet-rich
In PRP treatment, blood is drawn from the patient and platelets are removed. The blood is then ‘thinned’ and the platelets returned, creating platelet-rich blood. This platelet-rich blood is then injected into the tissue surrounding the damaged area.
This whole process is entirely safe. During the procedure only 120cc of blood is typically drawn off, which is one-fifth of the amount taken for a blood donation.
The theory behind PRP treatment is that by having platelet-rich blood ‘help’ the body’s natural repair processes, recovery times will be quicker.
Note that PRP treatment is not suitable for everyone. Older patients and those with a history of smoking, poor nutrition or ailments such as immune suppression conditions may not be suitable for PRP therapy.
If you want to learn more about platelet-rich plasma therapy, then please contact us here at the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine. Call us at (248) 216-1008 or use the online contact form available on our site.