We use PRP, platelet-rich plasma, also rich in stem cells, to literally regrow and repair torn or worn ligaments, tendons, and meniscus cartilage that are causing pain and damaging movement of your joints. This is a non-surgical process, and the repair is permanent.
The first step is for you to educate yourself by reading most of this website. Ideally, study everything this website has to offer and only then phone to request a preliminary phone meeting with a physician. A doctor will discuss your situation with you over the phone and answer your initial questions. Not everyone is a candidate. If you are still a candidate after that preliminary phone conference, a formal evaluation visit is scheduled.
Your face to face initial evaluation may require one and a half to two hours of discussion, physical examination, ultrasound imaging, education, and more discussion. A precise list is made of what spots in what structures in your joint need refurbishing. That is explained to you and usually shown to you. If you continue to be a candidate at that point, somewhere around 6 once monthly procedures are usually recommended. All your questions are discussed. If you and the physician are satisfied with this plan, a first procedure is scheduled. Some nutritional supplements are usually prescribed. Certain medicines are prohibited. Instructions are given.
At each monthly procedure, your blood is drawn. Key nutrients are infused back into the same vein via IV. Then you have a snack while your blood is processed in our lab to create a concentrate of your platelets and stem cells. This super cell concentrate is mixed with a specialized local anesthetic. Sometimes additional nerve blocks may be performed. Ultrasound imaging is used by the doctor to see the tiny injection needle inside your body and place the super cell mixture exactly within tears or wear sites in each damaged, degenerated ligament, tendon, and meniscus. It usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. You walk out of there, go about your day, and probably feel some soreness that evening and the next day. After 2-3 days of only limited exercise, most people can return to whatever activity and exercise they tolerate.
You grow your own. That’s right, for 3-4 weeks, you’ll grow your own brand new, teen age repair tissue at the sites where injury and degeneration have aged your joint. The regrowth in any one month’s crop is partial, so monthly repetition for around 6 months is normally necessary. Usually, you start to feel the difference only late in those months, as new tissue accumulates enough to replace tears and areas of degeneration, gradually stabilizing the joint. As you start to feel better, and your physician sees objective improvement with exam or sonographic imaging, you will likely be instructed to become more active, possibly with referral to physical therapists or other outside experts. Strengthening surrounding muscles in that way will eventually complete the process.
It is now possible to turn back the clock on some joint problems, allowing you to become more active again. Read and study the rest of this website carefully and thoroughly. Then, if you’d like, we can discuss at least starting the above described step by step process with you.
Click here for a slideshow of mostly microscopic images that give you greater insight into how we repair joints by regrowing their damaged tissues.
Click on the above triangle to listen to Dr. Jonas Skardis of New Mexico Pain Management, interviewed on KSFR-FM radio on the subject of PRP Stem Cell Therapy and other forms of interventional pain management (duration: 14 minutes, 54 seconds).
