Orthopaedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine Specialist Now Offering PRP Injection Therapy for Non-Operative Treatment of Chronic Strains and Sprains

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy offers a promising solution to accelerate healing of tendon injuries and osteoarthritis naturally by using the patient's own blood. Board certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Vic Kalman is now offering this emerging treatment to patients.

Malvern, PA (PRWEB) October 18, 2010 -- Dr. Vic Kalman, board certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, is now offering PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injection therapy for his patients in two locations: Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.

The procedure is gaining increased popularity in the sports medicine field nationally especially because it is more of a “natural” therapy, using the patient’s own blood.

PRP injection therapy involves injecting some of the patient’s own blood into the chronically damaged tendon or ligament. A small amount of the patient’s own blood is drawn in the office, similar to getting a standard blood test. The blood is then spun down in a special centrifuge, which highly concentrates the platelets in the blood. The resulting platelet concentrate is then injected directly into the damaged portion of the ligament or tendon under ultrasound guidance.

Sprains involve damage to ligaments, whereas strains are muscle or tendon injuries. While acute injuries generally are treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, chronic problems may not respond.

PRP is an emerging treatment in a new health sector known as Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT). RIT uses a substance, injected into tissue, to help stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. This philosophy merges cutting edge technology with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. In the last 20 years we have learned that when activated in the body, platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. There are many growth factors with varying responsibilities, however cumulatively they accelerate tissue healing. We are therefore able to deliver growth factors that can dramatically enhance tissue recovery.

Treatments are given approximately once every six weeks, and usually one to three treatments are required. The actual injection takes only a couple of minutes. But the entire process, from drawing the blood, to spinning it down in the centrifuge, and then injecting it, takes about 40 minutes.

Prior to injecting the platelet concentrate, the injured area and overlying skin first are anesthetized with a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort from the injection. There is a period of several days of soreness after the treatment. Patients are discouraged from taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as Motrin or Aleve, since these can actually hinder the healing process. Tylenol is allowed during this time.

Injuries that are particularly responsive to PRP treatments include chronic tennis elbow, rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, and patellar tendon injuries. However, any chronic tendon or ligament injury that has failed other conservative treatment can be treated with PRP.

The risks from treatment are very rare and are related to the injection itself, not the solution injected. They can include localized bleeding or bruising or, very rarely, temporary nerve damage.

The treatment may not be covered by insurance plans.

For more information about board certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Vic Kalman or his new PRP injection therapy, contact (610) 981-6400 or visit www.fieldhousewellness.com.

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