Knee injuries are among the most common orthopedic conditions that physicians see in their treatment rooms. Because the knees are involved in almost every movement, they have a tendency to become overused or injured. Numerous knee problems can occur with the tendons and structure of the knee; however, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy knee doctors can help patients to improve their knee conditions with advanced Platelet Rich Plasma treatment protocols.
A Platelet Rich Plasma Knee Doctor will take a small sample of the patient’s blood and then spin it down to obtain the growth factors and platelets. Then, the mixture will be injected into the problem area, and when the platelets are present, stem cells will be stimulated to come to the area and rebuild the tissues. The stem cells can help to rebuild cartilage, soft tissues, and tendons, allowing patients to experience healing and reduced pain or inflammation.
Knee problems are common with traumatic injuries, obesity, or people that play sports due to the heavy impact and wear and tear. Some of the injuries that Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can help to improve include:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears – The ACL stabilizes the knee joint and connects the femur to the tibia. The ACL is commonly torn during sports or movements, such as a change in direction. Often, surgery is the only way that the ACL can be repaired; however, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is another option that can help patients to regain full functioning of their ACL.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tears – The PCL is located in the back of the knee, and it keeps the tibia from moving backwards too far. Injuries to the PCL often occur when a person falls on a bent knee or when a person gets into a car accident and hits the dashboard with force. PCL tears are also often treated with surgery, but Platelet Rich Plasma can help to repair injuries.
Collateral Ligament Tears – The medial and lateral ligaments control the sideways movements of the knees, and when the knee is overextended to the side, injuries can occur. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can help to repair torn ligaments and restore the function of the knee.
Meniscus Tears – The lateral and medial menisci are discs at the center of the knee that help to keep the knees steady by balancing the weight put on the knees. Depending on the severity of the tears, surgery may be required to repair a torn meniscus. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can speed up the healing process and help patients to recover from injuries faster.
Cartilage Degeneration – Over time, the cartilage between the knees can become worn down due to overuse, aging, or sports. Eventually, some people experience grinding of bone to bone due to a lack of cartilage. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy may help to restore cartilage and help patients to reduce pain and inflammation.
Arthritic Pain – Countless aging men and women suffer from arthritis, as knees may become swollen, hot, or painful due to inflammation. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can help to regenerate tissues and reduce pain that often occurs with arthritis.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy provides numerous benefits to men and women with knee problems, as it may help them to avoid surgery or accelerate healing after surgery. Because the platelets are taken from the patient’s own body, the risk of rejection or infection is close to zero. Also, little to no downtime is required with Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, and it takes close to an hour to perform.
Doctors that specialize in Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for knee injuries and issues can help patients to determine how they can benefit from this cutting edge therapy. The doctor will devise a treatment plan that is based on individual conditions, situations, goals, and lifestyle habits, and each program will be suited to fit individual needs. Countless men and women suffering from knee injuries have been able to obtain the numerous advantages of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy.
To learn more about getting started with Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy contact a PRP knee doctor today to set up a consultation!