Autologous Platelet Matrix Grafts Offer Relief for Painful Tendons

Tendons are bands of connective tissue attaching muscle to bone and are essential for normal active daily movement. Pain originating from inflamed, damaged or worn out tendons is occurring in epidemic proportions in the U.S. and around the world.

Painful tendons limit one’s ability to exercise, work, take care of oneself and enjoy life. For example, we commonly see patients experiencing shoulder pain. A careful physical examination might reveal evidence of rotator cuff tendonitis. Most of these patients do well with PT, oral anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections. In resistant cases, further diagnostic imaging typically will reveal that the tendonitis is in fact a tear of either partial thickness or full thickness with or without tendon retraction. This tear can be potentially repaired with surgery but many patients are looking for alternatives to undergoing the knife. For select patients, autologous platelet matrix grafts may be considered. This involves drawing one’s blood, processing the blood to prepare a platelet tissue graft and then injecting it back into the tendon to help patch up the tear.

The platelets are those cells in your blood that contain a cocktail of growth factors which stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal damaged tendons. Before and after ultrasound studies confirm this process of healing with tears completely closing up after treatment and complete resolution of pain. This specialized technology is gaining attention and popularity around the world from elite athletes to weekend warriors; from private practices to major hospital trauma centers and from urban settings to rural environments. The procedure takes less than 45 minutes to complete from start to finish and is performed in the office setting with no major down time required from work or social obligations.

High-resolution ultrasound is used to precisely deliver this cocktail of regenerative growth factors into the site of injury. Most patients only require between one to two treatments to see significant results. Other problems that have been treated effectively with this specialized technology include chronic tennis or golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, cartilage tears in major joints and quadriceps tendon tears.

To determine if autologous platelet matrix grafts are right for you, a comprehensive initial consultation with an experienced practitioner would be essential.

To learn more, visit: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-matrix-grafts