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PRP Procedure Saves MLB Player from Surgery

Recently, Major League Baseball player Wei-Yin Chen of the Miami Marlins suffered a brutal elbow injury that would have devastated his season and possibly his career if he was subject to surgery.

Would is the operative word. Wei-Yin Chen would have had to have surgery on his elbow for persistent inflammation and a ulnar collateral ligament tear if it had not been for the recommendation of a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) shot.

Here at OCPBC, PRP injection therapy, as well as Stem Cell therapy, are frequently used techniques of our Sports Medicine specialist, Dr. Matarazzo. Dr. Matarazzo has years of experience using this type of therapy and stem cell therapy to treat partial ligament and tendon tears.

What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma injection therapy is a practice which uses the patient’s own blood as medicine. Blood that has a platelet concentration over the normal baseline is injected into the affected area to promote a healthy and quick recovery.

Who can get PRP injections?

PRP injection therapy is reserved for patients who experience difficult pain or discomfort from partial ligament or tendon tears or other areas of the musculoskeletal system. PRP is usually used for patients who have sustained an injury that required surgery early on and have partially healed.

Are there side effects?

The greatest thing about PRP injection therapy is that it uses the patient’s own blood, so the patient should have little to no reaction to the therapy. As a patient, your own body is helping you heal! At most rest and physical therapy are recommended to help the healing process.

The Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County is here to help!

If you have sustained pain or discomfort and want to learn about all of your options, or if you would like to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Matarazzo, you can call OCPBC at (561)967-6500 or visit our website.

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