Can Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Knee Help Avoid Surgery?
As the knee is the largest joint and one of the most complex in the human body, it’s no wonder why it is often one of the most damaged. In fact more than 32.5 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As patients try to treat the pain with cortisone shots, physical therapy, and as a last resort a myriad of surgeries, Platelet-Rich Plasma for the knee is often overlooked. Learn more about Dr. Scott Greenberg’s regenerative approach to knee pain treatment.
Common Knee Injuries
In understanding the different types of knee pain and injuries patients are prone to, it’s important to understand why knee injuries are so common.
The knee itself is made up of the tibia, the femur, the knee cap, many other tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. All of these components are then responsible for working together to support the majority of a person’s body weight. Most frequently, overtime the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones within the joins begins to break down and wear away- leaving the bones to rub up against. This bone on bone connection then causes stiffness, pain, and makes it difficult to walk, climb stars, and be active.
The most common type of knee injuries Dr. Greenberg treats include:
- Osteoarthritis
- ACL injury
- Torn Meniscus
- Knee Bursitis
- Baker’s Cyst
- Patellar Tendinitis
- Anterior, Posterior, and Medial Ligament injuries
- Fractures
Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Knee
Just as there are a number of knee injuries, surgery options are plentiful, including meniscectomy, meniscus repair/transplant, plica removal, lateral release, ACL reconstruction, tendon repairs, knee replacements, arthrotomy, and more. These surgeries, however, may be delayed with regenerative therapy.
While Platelet-Rich Plasma for the knee doesn’t regrow new cartilage, researchers say that the use of it may delay its loss, meaning that patients might be able to avoid knee replacement surgery if they are treated early enough.
Platelet Rich Plasma is a biomaterial that is derived from your own blood to orchestrate the regeneration of a wide range of tissues including ligaments, cartilage, and tendons to regenerate tissue and eliminate the underlying condition.
The infusion of Platelet-Rich Plasma for the knee initiates the body’s healing mechanism by promoting and activating natural therapeutic biochemicals and growth factors that eventually rebuild and remodel the injured soft tissue.
In addition to treating specifically the knee, Dr. Greenberg utilizes the Greenberg Method where he evaluates and treats other areas of damage that can cause pain in other parts of the body that may be overlooked. For example, an examination of the knees along with the pelvis, gait, and foot stance, may find that pelvic tilt is contributing to the patient’s pain in their knee. An isolated joint treatment ignores physiology and the evaluation of movement, while the Greenberg Method’s comprehensive diagnosis is able to create a successful treatment plan for patients.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment
Watch as Dr. Greenberg performs a non-invasive platelet-rich plasma treatment for a patient suffering from knee pain below!
Interested in solving your knee pain with PRP? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenberg today and begin your recovery journey tomorrow.
