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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Platelet Rich Plasma

What are PRP Injections?

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections are used to stimulate healing using one’s own blood components. The physician will withdraw your blood, put the blood into a centrifuge where the platelets are extracted (platelets are now known to release healing proteins known as growth factors) and then inject that solution directly into the injured site using an ultrasound guided technique to ensure proper placement. These proteins then stimulate repair and regeneration at the site, offering the patient pain relief and quicker healing rates. In most cases, 1-3 injections are required.

What Conditions are Treated with PRP?

PRP Injections can treat a number of conditions for the hip, knee, arm, shoulder, lower leg and feet. It is best to consult with your physician for a complete listing. However, below is an abbreviated list of conditions that can be treated with PRP.

  • Acute muscle tears and strains
  • Chronic Tendinopathies (tennis elbow, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon and rotator cuff)
  • Ligament injuries (ie: medial or lateral collateral ligament—MCL/LCL)
  • Osteoarthritis

How Quickly does PRP Work?

Most patients see some improvement within 2-6 weeks. The pain becomes less and less as the weeks pass with most clinical trials reporting improvement up to 6-9 months post injection.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for PRP?

Patients with severe anemia, low platelet count, abnormal platelet function, active systemic infection or those with an active cancer are not recommended to be administered PRP.

What is the Future of PRP?

As people seek out alternative options to surgery for injuries and other conditions, therapies such as PRP will become more in demand. Not only are patients excited about it but physicians are as well as it gives them more options to offer their patients. Treating patients with their own body components is revolutionary and more than likely just the beginning of these forms of treatment. Further research will occur and the use of these treatments will continue as long as they prove to be effective.

Why Use PRP Injections?

Platelet injections are an alternative to surgery. Ideal candidates would be those who prefer a less invasive option to surgery or those who are unable to undergo a surgery. It also allows for a much quicker recovery period and is much less painful than a surgery.

It is important that patients considering this therapy find a doctor with experience in these types of injections. It is more likely to have a favorable outcome if the doctor administering the injections is experienced and skilled.

How does PRP Work?

A large amount of growth factors are released at the site of injury upon injection. These platelets induce an inflammatory response to initiate healing. The platelets are able to restore tendons and ligamentous proteins as well as strengthen cartilage allowing it to become firmer and more resilient.

Is PRP Painful?

Patients usually tolerate the injection well. However, there can be soreness after the injection due to the PRP-induced inflammatory response. You can expect swelling and soreness during the first 48 hours post injection and are given pain medication to help alleviate the discomfort.

Are These Injections Safe?

Platelet injections are safe. Since you are using your body’s own blood components and there are no foreign substances being injected into your body, the injections are considered safe.

However there is some minimal risk involved. During research studies and clinical trials, the only risk noted was that the injection could cause an infection to develop. This is not unique to platelet injections, anytime a person undergoes an injection there is this risk. But because there are no foreign bodies being injected and there is no concern of disease transmission, this therapy is considered to be safe.

Using one’s own body as a healing mechanism is a relatively new concept in the world of medicine, and an exciting one at that. As therapies such as these begin to prove they are beneficial and effective, you will likely see similar therapies develop in other medical areas.

Common Questions About Stem Cells

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that exist in everyone throughout life and have the capability of becoming more specialized cells. Stem cells exist in virtually every organ and tissue, in bone marrow, and in blood. They hold the unique potential to become any of the specialized cell types in our body. Stem cells have two main characteristics: (1) the ability to multiply or self-renew and (2) the ability to “differentiate” — to become different specialized cells.   

Where do you get these stem cells?

Stem cells are isolated from three major sources: our bone marrow, our blood, and our tissues such as fat, muscle, heart, skin, etc.

Can a blood test show if stem cell therapy would benefit a heart failure patient?

We are studying the different cell populations in blood to help determine which patients may be most likely to respond to stem cell therapy. Right now we have identified stem cells that may be important and are testing them in ongoing studies.

Can one use his/her own stem cells?

Yes. Based on the best studies published to date, your own (autologous) stem cells are not only the safest but also probably the most effective stem cells at treating disorders within your own body. Outside donor stem cells (allogenic cells such as umbilical cord) have been shown to be less affective with a low but present incidence of rejection. Autologous stem cells have had NO incidence of rejection and perform better than umbilical in the limited studies comparing these therapies. For this reason, we only use your own stem cells (Autologous) at the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine.

Are there differences between male and female stem cells?

No. While quantity and quality of stem cells will vary from person to person based on variables such as age, genetics, and overall heath, there is no significant difference between males and females.

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Thomas Nabity Jr., MD
Thomas Nabity Jr. MD
Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Thomas Nabity Jr., MD 

Dr. Thomas Nabity works with frustrated patients suffering from pain who are motivated to find an alternative to drugs and surgery. Even if you think you have tried everything and have no option, Dr. Nabity is here to tell you that we can eliminate your pain and give you back the ability to do the things you love to do. He helps people in chronic pain who are looking to alternatives to drugs and surgery who want natural solutions to pain relief and long to be in control of their health once and for all. (Read Full Bio)

John Santa Ana, DO
John Santa Ana, DO
Regenerative Medicine Specialist

John Santa Ana, DO

Dr. Santa Ana is Board Certified in PM&R and Electrodiagnostic medicine. He is a physician specializing in Interventional Sports, Joints, and Spine treatments. Dr. John received his medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and his specialty training in PM&R at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC. He is a Veteran and was a physician in the US Army, treating our Nation’s heroes’ musculoskeletal conditions and getting them back in the fight. Dr. John is also experienced in EMG Testing with over 10 years of Electromyography (Read Full Bio)

Dr Farhat DO
Robert Farhat, DO
Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Robert Farhat, DO

Dr. Farhat is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Pain Medicine. Dr. Farhat has integrated Regenerative Medicine into the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions for the past several years, but has now joined Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine in order to provide a comprehensive approach to non-surgical musculoskeletal conditions. He is considered an expert in non-surgical spine care, but treats all musculoskeletal conditions. (Read Full Bio)

Curt Wimmer
Curt Wimmer, MD
Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Curt Wimmer, MD

Dr. Wimmer has now joined Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine in order to provide a comprehensive approach to non-surgical musculoskeletal conditions. He is considered an expert in interventional pain management with an extensive resume in the medical field. (Read Full Bio)

Treatable Conditions from the Experts at Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine

  • Achilles Tendon Ruptures Treatment
  • AC Joint and Tendon Tears Treatment
  • Ankle Pain Treatment
  • Arthritis Treatment
  • Back Pain Treatment
  • Bone Pain Treatment
  • Bursitis Treatment
  • Chronic Inflammation Treatment
  • Chronic Pain Treatment
  • Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
  • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
  • Elbow Pain Treatment
  • Foot and Ankle Injury Treatment
  • Foot Pain Treatment
  • Herniated Discs of The Spine
  • Hip Injury Treatment
  • Hip Pain Treatment
  • Joint Pain Treatment
  • Knee Injury Treatment
  • Knee Pain Treatment
  • Ligament Injury Treatment
  • Ligament Strains
  • Lower Back Pain and Spinal Pain
  • Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment
  • Meniscus Tears in the Knee
  • Muscle And Tendon Sprain and Strain Treatment
  • Muscle Pain Treatment
  • Muscle Strains from Sports and Other Injuries
  • Musculoskeletal Disorder Treatment
  • Musculoskeletal Injury Treatment
  • Musculoskeletal Pain Treatment
  • Neck Pain Treatment
  • Nerve Pain Treatment
  • Neuropathy Treatment
  • Osteoarthritis And Degeneration of Joints
  • Other Pains Involving Bone, Joints or Tendons
  • Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
  • PRP For Hair Loss Treatment
  • Rotator Cuff Tears in The Shoulders
  • Sacroiliac (Si) Joint Dysfunction Treatment  
  • Sacroiliitis / Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Dysfunction Treatment
  • Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment
  • Sciatica / Lumbar or Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Treatment
  • Sciatica Treatment
  • Shoulder Pain Treatment
  • Spinal Stenosis Treatment
  • Spine Pain Treatment
  • Spine Trauma Treatment
  • Tendinitis Treatment
  • Tendon Injury Treatment
  • Treatment for Tendonitis and Bursitis
  • Treatment for Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
  • Tension Headache Treatment
  • Torn Tendons and Ligament Treatment
  • Treatment After Auto Injuries
  • Treatment For Internal Derangement of Knee Cartilage
  • Treatment For Knee Cartilage Lesions
  • Treatment For Muscular Weakness
  • Treatment For Shoulder Injuries

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EMG Testing 10 Year Certified
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Logo
American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation
Certified Advanced Hip Orthobiologic Core Injection Skills
Certified Intermediate Spine Orthobiologic Injections
Certified Advanced Knee Orthobiologic Core Injection Skills
APCA Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography

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