MMI Physicians Utilizing Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for Athletes

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy - a treatment for aiding the regeneration of ligament, tendon and
other injuries - is the latest cutting-edge treatment available through MMI sports medicine physicians,
Jeffrey Gilsdorf, M.D. and James Steinberg, D.O.

Until recently, this therapy has mostly been utilized by physicians treating professional athletes. Hines
Ward, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, and Rafael Nadal are just a few of the athletes who
have benefited from PRP Therapy. Now Dr.’s Steinberg and Gilsdorf are making this treatment option
available to athletes and weekend warriors with sports injuries in the Frederick region..

Dr.’s Steinberg and Gilsdorf currently utilize PRP therapy for soft tissue injuries such as tendonitis,
muscle sprains and tears, and various types of ligament injuries. These include common tendon injuries
such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis and knee tendonitis. PRP therapy can also be used to treat
rotator cuff and meniscus injuries.

The procedure is fairly simple. A patient’s blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge, which separates
the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. This plasma is then injected into the injured area.
Because platelets play a significant role in the healing of tissue, reintroducing a high concentration of
them directly into the injured area enhances the healing process. “It’s a quick procedure with little, if
any, downtime” Dr. Steinberg commented. “It’s also safe because the platelets are derived from the
patient’s own blood, so there is no risk of rejection or reaction.”

Tendon injuries often become chronic because of the poor blood supply to these areas. Athletes and
active people tend to have these issues, whose ongoing complications have ended many a career or
leisure athletic endeavor. A PRP injection allows a quick and focused action to the area of injury, which
allows it to heal more effectively and rapidly. In many cases PRP shortens rehabilitation time and can
even eliminate the need for surgery. “The human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself,” indicated
Dr. Gilsdorf, “and PRP therapy helps us to facilitate that natural healing process.”