HARNESSING YOUR BODY'S NATURAL HEALING POWER

The body has an amazing capacity to heal itself. When the body becomes injured, a natural healing process occurs to repair the damaged tissue. The body signals platelets and other components in our blood supply to migrate to the site of injury. Under normal conditions, these platelets release a variety of growth factors that initiate and subsequently promote healing. New advances in medicine have been developed to harness and concentrate these platelets and growth factors to be precisely introduced to the injury site in an injectable form. The implantation of this biological material from a small amount of a patient's own blood effectively "supercharges" the body's capacity for healing and tissue repair. Healing in many instances may be associated with reduced pain and a quicker return to activity.

WHAT CAN BE TREATED WITH PLATELET THERAPY?

Many active patients are familiar with repetitive or overuse injuries that can cause micro tears of the muscle and/or tendon fibers resulting in weakness and pain at the injury site. This is commonly referred to as tendonitis, which is an acute inflammatory condition, or tendinosis, which is a chronic degenerative condition.

Both tendonitis and tendinosis affect the normal healing process of the damaged tissue and can lead to pain and dysfunction. A recent study looking at the treatment of elbow tendinosis (tennis elbow) with platelet therapy, showed that over 90% of the patients were completely satisfied with their results and did not opt for surgery in the weeks and months following a single treatment.¹ A similar study treating chronic Plantar Fasciitis pain with platelet therapy also demonstrated favorable results after one year.²

Other tendonitis/tendinosis indications that may be treated with platelet therapy are the following:

• Foot and Ankle Pain: Achilles Tendinosis, Plantar Fasciitis
• Shoulder Pain: Rotator Cuff Tendinosis/Tendinopathy, Triceps Tendonitis
• Arm Pain: Biceps Tendonitis, Elbow Tendonitis/Tendinosis (Tennis Elbow), Wrist Tendonitis
• Hip Pain: Trochanteric Bursitis, Hamstring Tendonitis, Quadriceps Tendonitis
• Knee Pain: Patella Tendinosis (Jumper's Knee)

PROCESS FOR RECOVERING PLATELETS AND GROWTH FACTORS

A very small amount of blood is drawn from the unaffected arm into a sterile tube in the exact same manner as a standard blood sample. The tube containing a patient's blood is placed into a centrifuge and spun to separate the platelets and growth factors from the other blood components. After a few minutes, the concentrated platelets and growth factors are removed from the same tube and re-introduced into the patient at the site of the injury. Using a sterile needle, your physician will inject the platelets and growth factors in and around the injury site. This is all accomplished without using any animal products or other foreign material.

NON-SURGICAL APPROACHES TO UNRESPONSIVE INJURIES

Patients who are interested in exploring non-surgical treatment options before resorting to surgery may find platelet therapy a viable option. Platelet therapy is also an alternative to other non-surgical approaches if they have proven to be ineffective at addressing your injury. Traditional non-surgical interventions include:

• Corticosteroid ("cortisone") injections
• Oral anti-inflammatory medications
• Exercise and bracing

In many cases these modalities may not cure the condition, whereupon platelet therapy may potentially be of great benefit.³

Before being considered a candidate for platelet therapy, a complete examination must be performed by your treating physician. This will include a physical examination and diagnostic evaluation. Prior to treatment, you may be asked to refrain from taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for a week. Following platelet therapy treatment, some localized soreness may occur, which is typical of any injection. This can be addressed with ice, heat, or elevation as well as with acetaminophen. Physical therapy may also be prescribed.

IS PLATELET THERAPY SAFE?

For over twenty years, platelet therapy has been used in many different fields of medicine including; cardiac surgery, oral surgery, dentistry and periodontal implants, orthropaedics, wound care, sports medicine, neurosurgery, general surgery and cosmetics.⁴ Research and clinical data show platelet therapy derived from the patient's own blood is safe, with minimal risk of adverse reactions or complications. ^5,6 Because the platelets and growth factors are produced from your own blood, there is no risk of rejection or disease transmission. As with any injection into the body, there is a small risk of infection, however it is very rare.

WHEN WILL I START TO FEEL RESULTS?

In a study treating elbow tendinosis with platelet therapy, patients noted an improvement of 60% in their pain score at eight weeks.³ This study along with other studies treating different conditions suggests an improvement in function and a reduction in pain. However, the results may vary depending on the patient and the severity of the condition.

Typically depending on the exact nature of your condition, you may feel some relief within two or three weeks. If you do not feel any improvement with the reduction of pain or the restoration of function by the time of your follow up visit, additional injections may be necessary. It is important to exercise with restraint and to have regular follow-up examinations with your doctor before resuming regular physical activities.

For Further Information On Platelet Therapy, Please Visit www.PlateletTherapy.com
(The Above Information Courteously Provided By MTF Sports Medicine, A Division Of The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. www.MTFSports.Org)

REFERENCES

1. Mishra A, Pavelko T, et al. Am J of Sports Med. 2006; 34:1774-1778.
2. Barrett S, Erredge S, Podiatry Today. 2004; 17:36-42.
3. Calfee R, Patel A, et al. JAAOS. 2008; 16:19-29.
4. Anitua E, Andia I, et al. Thromb Haemost. 2004; 91(1):4-15.
5. Everts P, Knape J, et al. JECT. 2006; 38:174-187.
6. Gamradt SC, Rodeo S, et al. Tech in Ortho. 2007; 22(1):26-33.

Foot Specialists of Cedar Park & Georgetown
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