The Santa Rosa, Calf.-based Santa Rosa Orthopaedics' hand center now offers platelet rich plasma therapy.
Here's what you need to know:
1. PRP therapy involves collecting a patient's blood sample, separating the blood platelets using a centrifuge and then injected these platelets back into the patient's injury site.
2. The injection of platelets increases the body's natural healing response in the tissues surrounding the injury site, because platelets contain hormones that facilitate growth.
3. This therapy is used in conjunction with other surgery and treatment options.
4. The SRO Hand Center uses PRP therapy to treat both acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
5. Two of the center's orthopedic surgeons — Kai-Uwe Mazur, MD, and Dominic J. Mintalucci, MD — note that PRP injections promote healing and reduce pain.