PRP Therapy Explained

July 29, 2015/0 Comments/in Health, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

We have talked briefly about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy in previous blogs. In this article, we are going to walk you through the details of PRP injection therapy – the concept behind PRP and what you can expect during the procedure.

The Concept Behind PRP

PRP Therapy is a regenerative treatment that repairs, restores, and rejuvenates degenerative tissue using completely natural methods. Platelets are the component of human blood responsible for clotting a wound. When you accidentally cut yourself while chopping food, your platelets immediately rush to the site of the wound and begin rebuilding tissue to stop the bleeding (without platelets you would simply bleed out). In PRP therapy, the patient’s own tissue-rebuilding platelets are used to stimulate regrowth and repair in injured or degenerative areas of the body. Here are a few conditions PRP can successfully treat:

Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL tears)
Damaged or destroyed cartilage
Wrinkled or damaged skin

The PRP Procedure

The PRP injection procedure is relatively quick an easy. First, your physician will take a small blood sample from you. This sample is then placed in a centrifuge, which separates out the various aspects of the blood (the platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma). Once that is finished, the platelet rich plasma is injected into the injured area of the patient’s body (for example, the knee for a patient suffering from an ACL tear or osteoarthritis). The whole process takes about an hour and patients are able to go home shortly after the procedure is finished.

Minnesota PRP Therapy

If you are interested in learning more about how PRP injection therapy can help you, contact Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota today. Dr. Matthew Thorson is trained in regenerative medicine techniques and can tell you if PRP therapy is a good option for treating your condition. Make an appointment in Edina with Dr. Thorson by filling out our appointment form or calling 612.223.6227.

Deciding between Injections & Surgery

July 22, 2015/0 Comments/in Regenerative Medicine, Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

For most painful conditions and injuries there are numerous treatment options available to a patient. From prescription painkillers, to pain injections, to surgery – it can be overwhelming trying to find the best treatment course for your condition. In this article, we will discuss options for deciding between injections and surgery for various conditions and injuries.

Arthritis & Osteoarthritis

Generally, arthritic and osteoarthritic conditions are not treated with surgical approaches. Regenerative injections (such as PRP or BMAC injections) can be incredibly effective at reducing pain from arthritis and regenerating lost tissue.

Ligament Injuries

Ligament tears and injuries (such as ACL & MCL tears, and rotator cuff tears) can be treated with surgery to repair the torn ligaments. You often hear of professional athletes undergoing ACL repair surgery so they can get back on the field as soon as possible. While these surgeries are often successful, regenerative injections can be just as effective in reducing pain and repairing the torn tissue. This procedure takes longer for the patient to completely recover, but unlike professional football players, most people do not need to return to high intensity exercise quickly after a ligament tear.

Spine Conditions & Injuries

Certain spine conditions and injuries need to be treated surgically. This is especially true if an injury or condition puts the spinal nerves in immediate danger. In these cases, repair surgery may be necessary to prevent permanent nerve injury and paralysis. In many other cases, pain relief injections and regenerative injection therapy will provide significant relief to patients, without the hassle and cost of surgery.

If you suffer from any of the conditions or injuries listed above, make an appointment with a pain management physician to discuss your treatment options. Dr. Thorson has years of experience treating Minnesotans with painful conditions. Contact us today to set up your appointment with Dr. Thorson and get on the path to a pain-free life.

BMAC Regenerative Therapy

July 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

BMAC (short for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) therapy is a method of regenerating damaged or lost tissue using a patient’s own cells. It is an all natural way to avoid surgery and still reduce pain and heal injuries. This article will explain BMAC therapy – how exactly it works, and the various conditions and injuries it can treat.

What is BMAC Therapy?

BMAC stands for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate. BMAC therapy uses regenerative medicine techniques to naturally rebuild tissues in the body.

The procedure involves first removing a sample of your bone marrow (generally from the hip bone). This is done with local anesthetic. After it’s collected, the marrow is placed in a centrifuge, which separates the red blood cells from the platelets, white blood cells, and serum. The concentrated platelets are then injected back into the patient’s body at the area of injury. BMAC injections essentially jump start your body’s natural healing system and encourage tissue regeneration without using any unnatural materials.

Conditions & Injuries that BMAC can Treat

BMAC therapy can be helpful in treating a number of conditions, including:

Tendon Injuries
Broken Bones
Damaged Cartilage
Wrinkled Skin

Is BMAC for Everyone?

As with any therapy, BMAC may not work well for every patient. Patients with severe bone fractures may require immediate surgery, for example. That being said, BMAC can work for many patients suffering through pain. To determine whether or not you are a good candidate, Dr. Thorson will perform various exams and diagnostic tests and walk you through all of your options.

If you have suffered an injury or condition that has resulted in bone fractures, damaged tendons, or damaged cartilage, BMAC may be a great alternative to surgery for you. Make an appointment with a Dr. Thorson to talk about your condition and the possibilities for treatment.

The Difference between Tennis Elbow & Golf Elbow

July 6, 2015/0 Comments/in Health, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

Tennis elbow and golf elbow are overuse injuries that get their names from the repetitive motions required while playing tennis or golf. But you don’t have to be a tennis player or a golfer to develop either condition. In this article, we will investigate the similarities and differences between two related conditions: tennis elbow and golf elbow. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and regenerative medicine treatment options for these conditions.

Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow

Tennis elbow and golf elbow are both repetitive stress injuries. They occur most commonly in tennis and golf players (hence the names) who repeatedly swing racquets or clubs during play. Despite their names, these conditions are not exclusive to the golfers and tennis players of the world. They are also relatively common in people whose jobs require repetitive manual labor (for example, a construction contractor who uses a hammer on a daily basis).

Medically speaking, tennis and golf elbow are both marked by an inflammation of the tendons attached to the elbow. The basic difference between tennis and golf elbow is where exactly the inflammation occurs – tennis elbow impacts the outside of the tendon, while golfer’s elbow impacts the inside.

Symptoms of tennis and golf elbow can include any of the following:

Pain in the elbow that may radiate to the forearm and wrist.
Tenderness or swelling near the elbow.
Weakness in the arms or hands.

If you experience any of these signs of tennis or golf elbow, make an appointment with a physician to diagnose the condition and discuss options for treatment.

Regenerative Medicine Treatment Options

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy is a regenerative treatment method that can significantly reduce pain from tennis and golf elbow. The procedure involves injecting your own cells into the elbow region. These cells help jump-start the body’s natural healing process and aid in the regeneration of tissue.

Tennis elbow and golf elbow can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of tennis or golf elbow, contact Advanced Regenerative Minnesota to discuss your treatment options.