Stem Cell/PRP Therapy

In recent years, new regenerative technologies have been revolutionizing the field of orthopedics. At the forefront of this revolution are two types of therapy that can ease pain and restore patient mobility more safely than invasive surgery – Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy.

Although similar in certain ways, each form of treatment has its own distinctive characteristics and benefits.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge procedure used to treat injuries and conditions that cause pain – such as tendon, cartilage, muscle, and fascial injuries and injured nerves – by regenerating new, healthy tissue at the site of the injury or wound.

Present in the human body, stem cells are a fundamental part of the normal healing process. Since they can be converted into any cell the body needs, stem cells are utilized to substitute for damaged or injured cells, thereby allowing natural healing and the repair of injured or damaged tissue. And when injected into the area of an injury, stem cells provide an immediate boost to the natural healing process, resulting in faster recovery time.

The cells used in stem cell therapy can come from a variety of sources. Pluripotent stem cells, for example, can be derived from human embryos or fetal tissue.  These type of stem cells are the most often used because the cells are unspecialized and can be multiplied by biologists into specialized cells. Non-embryonic stem cells, on the other hand, have been identified in many human adult organs and tissues and can be harvested without any harm to a human being. The best stem cell source for orthopedic purposes is bone marrow.

Adult stem cells provide clinical benefits for a wide variety of medical conditions and diseases, including orthopedic and sports injuries. Among these conditions are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the knee, torn ligaments, knee bursitis, rotator cuff injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and much more.

The stem cell treatment procedure is quick, simple, and virtually painless. Once stem cells are harvested, they are processed and multiplied, then reinjected as close as possible to the source of pain or injury. By delivering more stem cells to the injured area than your body can deliver on its own, there is a better likelihood that new, healthy tissue will regenerate.

All-Star Orthopedics of Austin is excited to offer cutting-edge stem cell therapy to our patients as an effective alternative to invasive surgery.  For more information, or to make an appointment in Austin, call All-Star Orthopedics today at (512) 346-4933 or use our online appointment request form.

PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a ground-breaking non-invasive treatment that relieves pain and promotes long-lasting healing of bone, muscle, and joint conditions. Our board-certified doctors have specially trained in PRP therapy and are thrilled to offer this treatment option to the residents of Austin, Texas.

PRP therapy uses components of the body’s own blood cells to stimulate the natural healing process in orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, and hip, Achilles tendinitis, ankle sprains, tennis elbow and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

The great thing about PRP therapy is that it helps restore – and sometimes accelerates – your body’s existing healing mechanism, which is why It is ideal for patients who are looking for long-term pain relief and healing without surgery, and for those who are not candidates for surgery.

Whenever soft tissue is injured, the body’s first response is to deliver platelet cells. Filled with healing and growth factors, these platelets jump-start the repair process and attract the essential support of stem cells. PRP therapy simply accelerates the body’s healing efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets with a simple injection.

PRP therapy is a much simpler – and shorter – outpatient procedure than surgery. A small sample of your blood is drawn and spun at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. This results in a higher concentration of growth and healing factors. Then the concentrated platelet-rich plasma is injected into and around the point of injury. No stitches are needed because only a needle is used. And because your own blood is used, there’s no risk of a transmissible infection and a very low risk of an allergic reaction.

PRP therapy only takes about one to two hours, including preparation and recovery time. Performed safely in our office, PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks of surgery, general anesthesia, or hospital stays and without a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.

You may be given up to three PRP injections within a six-month period, usually performed two to three weeks apart. However, patients who receive PRP therapy may gain significant to complete relief after the first or second injection. Within a few weeks of your first treatment, you’ll likely see some improvement, which will gradually increase as the healing progresses.

All-Star Orthopedics of Austin is excited to offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to our patients. For more information about our Stem Cell and PRP Therapy, or to make an appointment in Austin, call All-Star Orthopedics today at (512) 346-4933 or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to solving your orthopedic problems.