Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine is an area of treatment that aims to support your body’s natural ability to heal damaged or injured tissues. Rather than replacing a joint or tissue, it uses components from your own body to help promote tissue repair, support recovery, and relieve pain.

For hip and knee conditions, Dr. Frisch’s regenerative medicine approach centers on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own blood that is rich in platelets. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors, which play an important role in your body’s healing process.

How PRP Therapy Works

Your blood is made up of a liquid component called plasma and solid components that include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets help your blood clot, and they also release growth factors that may help support the healing of injured tissues.

To prepare PRP, a small sample of your blood is processed to concentrate the platelets. The platelet-rich portion is then injected into the injured or painful area of your hip or knee, delivering a higher concentration of growth factors directly where they may be needed.

Conditions PRP May Help

PRP therapy may be considered for a number of hip and knee conditions, including:

• Knee osteoarthritis
• Hip osteoarthritis
• Tendon injuries around the hip and knee
• Ligament injuries
• Muscle strains
• Chronic joint pain and certain overuse injuries

Whether PRP is right for you depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, activity level, and treatment goals. Dr. Frisch can evaluate your condition and help you decide whether PRP is a suitable option.

Why Consider PRP Therapy?

PRP is increasingly used in the management of various orthopedic conditions. Potential benefits include:

• Because PRP is made from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is very low.
• It is a minimally invasive treatment that is typically performed during an office visit.
• It may help relieve pain and improve joint function.
• For some patients with early to moderate arthritis, it may help reduce symptoms and delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
• In some cases, it may also be used alongside surgery to support healing.

Results vary from person to person, and PRP is not appropriate for every condition.

What to Expect During Your PRP Procedure

Your PRP treatment begins with a blood draw, usually from a vein in your arm. Your blood is then spun in a centrifuge for about 10 to 15 minutes to separate the platelets from the other blood components.

The treatment area is numbed with a local anesthetic, and the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the affected area of your hip or knee. In some cases, ultrasound guidance may be used to help with accurate needle placement.

Recovery After PRP

It is normal to feel some discomfort at the injection site for a few days after your procedure. You may use cold compresses to ease your symptoms, and you will likely be asked to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications for a period of time. You can usually resume your normal activities but should avoid strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or intense exercise, as advised by your doctor.

PRP works gradually, and response times vary depending on the condition being treated and your individual healing. Some patients notice improvement over several weeks. If needed, the treatment may be repeated.

PRP Therapy with Dr. Frisch

Dr. Frisch recommends PRP for the right patients when it is appropriate for their condition. The procedure is minimally invasive and often performed in the relaxed setting of a clinic. For some patients, PRP may help delay or avoid the need for surgery, and it may also be performed along with surgery to support recovery.