Since 1949, Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group—a division of Florida Medical Clinic—has been providing patients from across the Tampa Bay region with progressive, patient-centered care. We understand that the field of orthopaedic medicine is constantly changing, and we keep ourselves updated on the latest technologies and techniques so that we can provide our patients with the best possible care. Below are two of the innovations that we use at our Tampa, Florida, clinic.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
The orthopaedic medicine specialists at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group can use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat a wide range of conditions. But how do these injections work, exactly? Blood is made up of four different components: plasma, platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Platelets (sometimes referred to as “thrombocytes”) help blood clot after an injury, thereby promoting healing. PRP injections contain concentrated platelets and are administered to help repair injuries and improve tissue function.
Studies show that PRP injections can be used to effectively treat orthopaedic conditions such as:
- Ligament tears
- Muscle strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Sprains
- Tennis elbow
If we recommend that you undergo PRP injections, we’ll collect a sample of your blood, then process it in a centrifuge. As the sample spins, the platelets contained within will separate from the other blood components. Then, we’ll inject the concentrated platelets into the area where you’re injured. Because the platelets are sourced from your own blood, you won’t need to worry about allergies or cross-infection.
Stem Cell Therapy
Patients can also turn to Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group for stem cell therapy. Stem cells have revolutionized the orthopaedic medicine field because not only do they self-renew, but they can also develop into other types of cells, including the ones that make up bone, cartilage, and muscle. This enables them to regenerate tissue and accelerate the healing process.
Stem cells can be used to treat numerous conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including:
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Labral tears
- Ligament tears
- Meniscus tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tendonitis
There has historically been a great deal of controversy surrounding stem cell therapy because some people believed that it was morally wrong to collect stem cells from embryos. But at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group, we never use embryonic stem cells. Instead, we use mesenchymal stem cells (sometimes referred to as “autologous stem cells”), which are taken from the patient’s own body. We’ll collect a sample of your bone marrow, spin it in a centrifuge to separate the stem cells from the platelets and white blood cells, then inject the concentrated stem cells into the injured tissue. Using your own stem cells also reduces the risk of disease transmission, infection, and tissue rejection.
Learn More About Our Approach to Orthopaedic Medicine
If you’d like to know more about Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group and the state-of-the-art treatments we offer for patients in the Tampa Bay area, contact us today. We’ll gladly provide you with additional information, answer your questions, and arrange a time for you to visit our office, which you’ll find conveniently located at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL.
