Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the shoulder in Kennewick, WA
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) of the shoulder in Kennewick, WA
Clinical-Grade PRP Therapy at Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates
Shoulder pain can be debilitating, affecting everything from your sleep to your ability to perform daily tasks. Whether it's due to a sports injury, overuse, or age-related degeneration, finding effective, long-lasting relief is a top priority for many. One promising solution gaining traction in orthopedic and sports medicine is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. At Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates, we are committed to providing cutting-edge treatments to help our patients achieve optimal health and recovery. One of the advanced therapies we offer is clinical-grade Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, a regenerative treatment that harnesses the body's natural healing processes to treat various musculoskeletal conditions.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine is a field focused on replacing, engineering, or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. This innovative approach aims to heal tissues and organs damaged by disease, injury, or age, rather than merely treating symptoms. Regenerative medicine includes techniques such as stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and the use of biologically active molecules to stimulate the body's natural repair mechanisms.
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a treatment that has evidence to relieve pain that is offered in the clinic setting. This therapy shows potential to speed healing after injury. Blood is made up of plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, ad platelets. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood, that is mostly made of water and protein. The plasma of your blood allows the platelets, red and white blood cells to move throughout the bloodstream.
Platelets are the cells in the blood that makes your blood clot and is involved in the body’s healing process. The body’s initial reaction when an injury occurs is to send platelets to the injured area medical literature is showing PRP can stimulate repair through the release of growth factors and attraction of stem cells to the site. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma drawn in our clinic is injected into and around your injury site, which again studies show triggers your system to begin repairing and rebuilding tissue. PRP therapy is used during surgery and to treat arthritis, tendonitis, fractures, and injuries such as tendon and ligament tears.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves using a patient's own blood to promote healing in injured tissues. The process begins with drawing a small amount of blood, which is then placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components. The resulting PRP, rich in growth factors and healing proteins, is injected into the affected area to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration.
How PRP Works for Shoulder Conditions
PRP injections release growth factors that:
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote collagen production
- Enhance blood flow
- Attract healing cells like fibroblasts and macrophages
These effects make PRP particularly effective for treating:
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Shoulder impingement
- Tendonitis or tendinosis
- Bursitis
- Early-stage arthritis
Benefits of Clinical-Grade PRP
Clinical-grade PRP therapy offers several benefits, including:
- Enhanced Healing: PRP contains a high concentration of growth factors that accelerate the healing process by promoting cell proliferation and tissue regeneration.
- Reduced Inflammation: PRP injections can help reduce inflammation, providing relief from pain and swelling associated with musculoskeletal injuries.
- Minimally Invasive: PRP therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses the patient's own blood, reducing the risk of adverse reactions and infections.
- Versatile Applications: PRP can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including tendon injuries, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and osteoarthritis.
How PRP Therapy Works
The PRP therapy process at Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates involves several steps:
- Blood Collection: A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient.
- Centrifugation: The blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components.
- PRP Preparation: The concentrated platelets are collected and prepared for injection.
- Injection: The PRP is injected into the injured area under ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement.
Conditions Treated with PRP
PRP therapy is effective in treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Tendon Injuries: PRP can help heal chronic tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow and Achilles tendinitis.
- Ligament Sprains: PRP injections can promote the healing of ligament sprains, reducing recovery time and improving function.
- Muscle Strains: PRP therapy can accelerate the healing of muscle strains and tears, allowing patients to return to their activities sooner.
- Osteoarthritis: PRP injections can reduce pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis by promoting cartilage repair and reducing inflammation.
Dr. Josh Dworkin
Dr. Josh Dworkin brings a distinguished background in orthopedic surgery, shaped by his service in the United States Army and his residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. During his training, he provided care for service members across all military branches and contributed to research in various orthopedic sub-specialties. Following his residency, Dr. Dworkin served as an active-duty orthopedic surgeon at Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital in Fort Polk, LA, where he held the role of Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery. In this leadership position, he was responsible for the care of soldiers, their families, and retirees, demonstrating a deep commitment to both patient care and the advancement of orthopedic medicine.
Board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Dworkin has authored multiple research papers and is a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He now joins Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates, accompanied by his wife and two children. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, beach outings, football, and wrestling. His passion for both his work and his family is evident in all aspects of his life.
Clinical-grade PRP therapy at Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates offers a promising, minimally invasive option for patients seeking relief from musculoskeletal conditions. By leveraging the body's natural healing processes, PRP therapy can help reduce pain, accelerate recovery, and improve overall function.
If you are interested in learning more about PRP therapy and how it can benefit you, contact us today at 509-586-2828 to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic specialists.
