Can Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Help Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

September 18, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that can cause long-lasting pain and discomfort. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and make even simple tasks like walking painful. There are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis – including regenerative medicine techniques. In this article, we are going to talk about plantar fasciitis and how Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy can be a suitable treatment option for the condition.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition in which the plantar fascia (a long band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes) becomes inflamed. This could be the result of a foot injury, or simply repetitive strain over time.

There are many potential options for treating plantar fasciitis – from rest and bracing, to surgery. While conservative methods typically do not provide enough long-term pain relief, many patients want to avoid surgery if at all possible. Platelet-rich plasma injections offer patients such an alternative – providing long-term pain relief, without having to undergo surgery.

Is PRP a Good Treatment Option?

PRP therapy begins with the extraction of a small amount of blood from the patient. That blood sample is then put in a centrifuge that separates all the elements. The platelet-rich plasma, once separated, is made into a PRP solution, which is then injected into the plantar fascia. These blood platelets go to work right away repairing the damaged plantar fascia tissue.

Find out if you are a good candidate for PRP Therapy.

Twin Cities Pain Management

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, our double board-certified pain management doctors have over two decades of experience treating patients for both acute and chronic pain conditions. We work one-on-one with every patient we treat to find the best treatment solution – whether it’s pain medication, steroid injections, or regenerative medicine treatments like PRP therapy. If you have foot pain stemming from plantar fasciitis, PRP therapy may be a good treatment option for you. Contact us to see if you are a good candidate. Reach out to us today to set up your appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis pain management clinics.

Treating Running Injuries with PRP Therapy

August 28, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is an emerging regenerative medicine treatment method that can treat a wide variety of injuries and degenerative conditions. We’ve focused on a few specific conditions in previous articles (tennis elbow, knee injuries, etc.). In this article, we are going to talk about common running injuries and how PRP therapy can act as an effective treatment option.

Common Running Injuries

Avid runners can sustain a wide variety of injuries. Here are some of the most common running injuries that we treat:

Stress Fractures
Ankle sprains, strains, and fractures
Knee injuries (ACL, MCL, Meniscus tears)
Foot injuries

The PRP Process – How it Works

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. This therapy uses the patient’s own blood plasma (rich with platelets) to heal, regenerate, and restore damaged tissue. Platelets are an extremely effective element that exists in every person’s blood. These platelets are essentially responsible for repair in times of injury. When you cut your finger and it starts bleeding, your blood platelets go to work immediately to clot the wound and begin the healing process. PRP therapy utilizes these platelets to rebuild damaged tissue. First, a small blood sample is drawn from the patient. Then, after its put through a centrifuge, the solution is re-injected into the patient’s body, where it immediately begins the regeneration process.

Find out if you are a good candidate for PRP Therapy.

Twin Cities PRP Doctors

The Twin Cities pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have decades of experience treating patients with acute and chronic pain. Whether you’ve been injured in an accident, you’re recovering from a surgical procedure, or you have a chronic pain condition, our board-certified pain doctors have the knowledge and experience to help you effectively reduce and manage your pain. Give us a call today to set up your appointment with a Minnesota pain doctor. Our primary clinics are conveniently located in Edina and Minneapolis but we treat patients throughout the state of Minnesota!

PRP Therapy for Sciatica Pain

August 14, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections use regenerative stem cells to treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries – from knee osteoarthritis, to rotator cuff tears. One condition we have not yet discussed in regards to PRP injections is sciatica. This article focuses on sciatica pain and the benefits of PRP therapy for treating the condition without surgery.

Sciatica Back Pain

Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve (which runs from the base of the spine down both legs) is irritated, causing pain in the low back and legs. The condition is typically caused by bone spurs or herniated discs in the spine, though it can also be the result of other factors, such as acute injury to the back.

PRP Injections for Sciatica

PRP therapy offers a natural, pain-free, and non-surgical treatment alternative for patients suffering from sciatica pain and related symptoms. Here’s how PRP injections work:

The physician draws a small amount of blood from the patient.
The patient’s blood is placed in a centrifuge that works to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
The physician then takes that PRP solution and re-injects it into the patient’s body at the affected area.
The plasma solution goes to work immediately repairing damaged tissue and aiding the body’s natural rejuvenation process.

Twin Cities PRP Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our goal is to provide specialized and compassionate care to each patient we treat. No matter what your injury or condition, we treat each patient with the individualized care they deserve. Our board-certified pain management doctors have more than two decades of experience treating patients for acute and chronic pain conditions. We are trained in a wide variety of pain treatment methods – including stem cell regenerative medicine techniques such as PRP or Prolotherapy injections. Contact our Twin Cities pain doctors to set up an appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics today.

Am I a Good Candidate for PRP Injections?

July 31, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are becoming more and more widespread as a method for reducing pain and recovering from injuries. Many patients who are curious about PRP injections want to know if they are good candidates for the procedure. In this article, we are going to talk about what makes a good candidate for PRP injections.

PRP Therapy 101

First, let’s offer a brief refresher on what PRP therapy is and what it treats (you may also wish to visit our blog post called, PRP Therapy Explained). PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. PRP injections are a regenerative medicine treatment method that helps naturally stimulate regrowth and regeneration of damaged tissue. How exactly does it work? First, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient. That blood is put through a centrifuge that works to separate out the platelet-rich plasma. That PRP solution is then injected back into the patient near the affected area. This blood plasma (rich in platelets) goes to work immediately repairing degenerated tissue.

What Makes a Good PRP Therapy Candidate?

PRP injections can be an effective treatment option for a wide range of patients. Unlike surgery – which can be quite dangerous for patients of a certain age or with certain conditions – PRP injections are non-invasive. In particular, you may be a good PRP candidate if you have experienced any of the following conditions or injuries:

MCL, ACL, or Meniscus Tears
Rotator Cuff Tears
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Repetitive Stress Injuries

If you are curious about PRP therapy injections, ask your physician if you are a good candidate. You can also reach out directly to a PRP injection doctor for evaluation and treatment.

Minnesota PRP Injection Doctor

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, our board-certified pain management physicians have been treating patients in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area for decades. We are well versed in the most innovative treatment options available, including PRP injections and other stem cell treatments. Whether you’ve sustained an injury, or you’re dealing with a degenerative condition, PRP therapy can help reduce your pain and rejuvenate your body. Reach out to our Minnesota PRP doctors today and set up your appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis pain clinics.

PRP Therapy as an Alternative to Orthopedic Surgery

July 17, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a relatively new treatment option that can help patients avoid the invasiveness and pain that often accompanies orthopedic surgery. In this article, we’re going to talk about how PRP injections can act as an effective for many patients.

Orthopedic Surgery

There are a wide variety of orthopedic surgical procedures that can be used to treat a range of conditions and injuries. Here are a few examples:

Knee surgery for ACL, MCL & Meniscus tears
Ankle surgery for ligament tears
Spine surgery for herniated discs

In many cases, these injuries and conditions can be treated with PRP injections – allowing patients to avoid surgery.

PRP Injections

PRP therapy is a relatively new treatment option that’s been around since the mid 2000s. Despite its young age, PRP injections are becoming increasingly popular as a treatment option for injuries and degenerative conditions. PRP uses the patient’s own blood to encourage regrowth and rejuvenation in the body. The process begins by extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood. That blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich plasma. That plasma is then mixed together with some other “ingredients” and re-injected into the patient’s body at the site of the injury (the knee, foot, etc.). Once injected, the PRP mixture goes to work rebuilding damaged tissue. PRP injections offer an excellent alternative to surgery for many orthopedic injuries and conditions.

Twin Cities Pain Management Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, we treat each patient with care and compassion. Our board-certified pain management physicians have been treating patients throughout the Twin Cities for over two decades. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with a chronic pain condition, or have been in injured in an accident, we can help reduce your pain. Our team is trained in the most innovative procedures available – including PRP therapy. If you have been told you need orthopedic surgery, investigate PRP therapy first to see if you are a good candidate. Our primary pain relief clinics are located in Minneapolis and Edina, but we provide care to patients throughout the Twin Cities, as well as greater Minnesota. Contact us today to set up your appointment.

PRP Therapy for Meniscus Tears

July 10, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Meniscus tears are unfortunately common and can be quite painful. There are many pain management options for tears of the Meniscus. In this article, we are going to discuss Meniscus tears and how they can be effectively treated with PRP Therapy, also known as platelet rich plasma injections.

Meniscus Tears

The Meniscus works to cushion your knee and balance weight across the knee. A working Meniscus is essential to your knee’s ability to function properly. Meniscus tears occur due to excessive turning or twisting when the foot is planted. It is a common injury among basketball and football players. As the body ages, the Meniscus can wear out and make injury more likely.

How PRP Therapy Works

PRP injections are a stem cell medicine treatment that use the patient’s own blood plasma to naturally regenerate damaged tissue. Here’s how the process works:

A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient.
That blood is then run through a centrifuge that separates out the platelet-rich plasma.
After that, the platelet-rich plasma is re-injected into the patient’s body at the area of injury.
The platelets go to work immediately and begin to rebuild damaged tissue and rejuvenate the area.

This is a completely natural and relatively painless process that offers an excellent alternative to surgery for many patients. Furthermore, PRP can be used to treat a wide range of injuries and degenerative conditions. Ask your doctor if PRP therapy is a good treatment option for your Meniscus tear.

Twin Cities Pain Management

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN offers the most innovative pain relief methods available. Our pain management physicians are board-certified and have over twenty years of experience treating patients throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Whether you’re dealing with an injury or a chronic pain condition, we have the knowledge and experience to reduce your pain. Contact us today to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota pain relief specialists. Our primary clinics are conveniently located in Minneapolis and Edina, but we work with patients throughout the state of Minnesota.

PRP Injections for ACL Tears

June 26, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

ACL tears in the knee can cause a significant amount of pain and severely decrease a patient’s mobility. Many patients who hear about ACL tears think that the only effective treatment option is surgery – but that’s not always the case. In this article, we are going to talk about ACL tears and how they can be effectively treated with Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, also known as PRP injections.

ACL Tears

An ACL tear is an injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (which connects the shinbone to the thighbone) in the knee. This injury is most often caused by a sports or exercise injury. Many basketball, football, soccer, and tennis players (both amateur and professional) have sustained ACL injuries. Symptoms of an ACL tear can include pain and swelling in the knee and leg, as well as a decreased range-of-motion.

PRP Injections vs. Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment option for ACL tears and injuries. It’s true that some severe ACL tears may be best treated with surgery – especially in professional athletes who want to return to peak level performance as quickly as possible. However, many ACL tears can be treated with alternative methods.

PRP injections offer patients an all-natural, non-surgical alternative for the treatment of ACL injuries. PRP therapy uses the platelet-rich plasma from the patient’s own body and re-injects it to stimulate regrowth and regeneration in the injured area. The procedure is non-invasive and relatively pain-free, especially when compared to surgery.

PRP Therapy Clinic in Edina

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board certified pain management physicians have decades of experience treating patients for all types of painful injuries and conditions. We are trained in the most innovative procedures – including PRP injections – and have the knowledge and expertise to help you manage your pain. Contact our skilled PRP therapy doctors today to set up your appointment. We have clinics located in Edina and Minneapolis, but treat patients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs. Give us a call today to see if Platelet-Rich Plasma is right for you.

PRP Therapy for Whiplash

June 12, 2017/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

Whiplash is a relatively common and usually minor injury to the neck. Many patients who sustain whiplash injuries don’t seek any form of treatment, which can result in pain in the future. In this article, we are going to briefly discuss the causes and symptoms of whiplash, and talk about the benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for treating whiplash.

Whiplash – Causes, Identification & Symptoms

Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues in the neck, caused by a quick back-and-forth movement on the head and neck. Here are some of the more common factors that can result in a whiplash injury:

Car accident
Sports injury
Work injury
Slip & fall accidents

Many patients do not even realize that they have whiplash immediately after an accident. Take a car accident for example. Your adrenaline may be so high that you aren’t aware of the symptoms of whiplash right away. Then, a day or two later you may notice pain in your neck.

Treating Whiplash with PRP Injections

Whiplash is typically treated with conservative methods (surgery is rarely needed). Bracing, rest, and pain medications are the first line of treatment. However, these often provide only a short-term solution – especially in more severe cases. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections can be much more effective, while still being minimally invasive. PRP uses the patient’s own blood (and the plasma therein) to encourage tissue regrowth and regeneration in the body. It’s a completely natural way to help your body in its own healing process after a whiplash injury.

Minneapolis PRP Doctors

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board certified pain management doctors have been treating patients for over twenty years. We specialize in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, and are trained in a wide spectrum of treatments – from prescription medications to stem cell treatment methods. If you are experiencing whiplash pain in your neck, PRP injections may offer you the relief you’re looking for. Contact us today at our Edina or Minneapolis pain clinics to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota PRP doctors and see if you are a good candidate for regenerative medicine.

Minnesota Regenerative Medicine Injections

5 Conditions & Injuries That Can Be Treated With Regenerative Medicine

November 2, 2016/0 Comments/in PRP, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew Thorson

We talk a lot about PRP therapy, prolotherapy, and other regenerative medicine treatment options. These methods are offer a non-surgical, all natural alternative for many common conditions. Since they are relatively new in the medical field, many patients aren’t aware of their usefulness in treating many injuries and conditions. In this article, we are going to discuss five conditions and injuries that can be effectively treated with regenerative medicine techniques like PRP and Prolotherapy injections.

Tennis & Golf Elbow

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow – two common repetitive strain injuries – can impact tennis players, golfers, and other patients who perform repetitive motions involving the elbow and arm. The result is recurring pain from damaged tendons in the area. Regenerative injections can help naturally repair this damaged tissue and reduce pain.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs when the cartilage in the knee breaks down over time. PRP and prolotherapy injections use natural healing methods to regrow damaged tissue and decrease the pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel is a repetitive stress injury common among office workers who type at a computer all day. The condition is characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers as a result of an entrapment of the nerves that pass through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. PRP injections can help reduce nerve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears, and tendonitis can prevent a person from exercising, playing sports, and even doing everyday tasks. PRP injections utilize a patient’s own blood platelets and plasma to encourage natural healing and regrowth.

Ankle Tendinosis

Tendinosis of the ankle occurs when the peroneal tendons that wrap around the ankle begin to swell, typically as the result of repetitive overuse activities. Regenerative treatments can decrease this swelling and associated pain naturally, and avoid the need for surgical intervention.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN is one of the leading providers of regenerative medicine treatments in the state of Minnesota. Our Twin Cities pain management doctors have over two decades of experience treating patients with chronic and acute pain. If you are experiencing any of the above listed conditions, give us a call today. Contact us at our Edina pain management clinic today to set up your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a regenerative medicine treatment plan.

PRP for Spine Injuries & Conditions

March 28, 2016/0 Comments/in PRP /by Matthew Thorson

There are many forms of back pain, and many ways to treat pain that originates in the spine. From over-the-counter pain medications to surgery, choosing the right treatment approach can be challenging. This article will focus on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for spine pain. We will talk about the benefits of PRP treatment for spinal conditions and injuries.

Spine Pain

Pain in the spine can result from acute injuries, or from degenerative conditions like arthritis. Whatever the cause, back pain can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst. While many patients will attempt to suffer through their back pain, this strategy typically only makes things worse. Addressing the pain head on and developing a treatment strategy is the best way to reduce pain in the long term.

PRP Injections for Back Pain

PRP Therapy is an innovative new treatment that uses the patient’s own blood platelets to regenerate damaged tissues. The process is simple – a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient. Then the platelet-rich plasma is separated out of that blood and injected back into the patient. These platelets immediately go to work repairing lost or damaged tissue. Best of all, PRP injections are natural and relatively pain-free.

Spine surgery can be a good treatment option for people experiencing back pain, but all surgical procedures require trauma. It’s typically best to exhaust all other treatment approaches before deciding to go under the knife. That’s why many patients are turning to PRP injections to relieve their back pain.

If you have sustained a spinal injury, or have a pre-existing spine condition that it causing you pain, PRP injections may be a viable treatment option for you. The pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients with spinal pain for over twenty years. Our team of doctors offer cutting edge treatments for all types of pain conditions. Contact our Edina office today to schedule an appointment and see if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy.