Engaging in sports activities is essential for maintaining good health and improving your mood and outlook on life. However, these activities increase your risk of shoulder dislocation, tendonitis, and fractures. Portland sports injuries can cause limited mobility and other debilitating symptoms that can affect your daily life. Sports Health Northwest, Inc’s team offers minimally invasive treatments, including PRP, which can accelerate healing and restore optimal mobility.
When to seek medical help for sports injuries
If you have experienced a sports injury, you need to know when to seek immediate help. Generally, seeing a doctor for injuries causing debilitating pain, limited mobility, swelling, and tenderness is wise. Also, if you experience dizziness or severe bleeding, look for professional help. Ignoring your sports injury and continuing your sports activities can worsen the injury and increase your risk for deformation or permanent disability. Mild injuries like sprains can heal with over-the-counter medication and adequate rest. However, you should inform your physician if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve within a few days. Your treatment plan may include the following:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma is a state-of-art treatment that involves injecting your concentrated blood platelets into the injured area. PRP contains proteins and growth factors that reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. Your provider will draw a small amount of your blood and pass it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets to create the PRP. The treatment involves multiple injections over a couple of weeks or months, based on the severity of the injury. This treatment treats various sports injuries, including ligament tears, tendonitis, sprains, and strains. However, if you have underlying blood disorders or infections, Dr. Westerdahl may advise against this therapy.
Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M) injection
Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M) injection is a relatively new treatment involving injecting a naturally occurring naturally in your blood into the injured area. The injection targets and neutralizes the enzymes causing inflammation in your body which can alleviate your pain and swelling and enhance joint function. After the injection, you may experience mild swelling and discomfort at the injection site, which resolves within a few days. You may begin to experience relief from pain and swelling within the first few weeks of treatment.
Percutaneous tenotomy or fasciotomy
Percutaneous tenotomy or fasciotomy is a slightly invasive treatment for particular injuries affecting fascia and tendons. During the treatment, Dr. Westerdahl creates a small incision in the affected part using a small blade to release tension in the fascia or tendon. He performs the procedure under anesthesia to prevent you from experiencing any discomfort. This treatment offers several benefits over traditional open surgery, including decreased risk of complications and a shorter recovery.
Bone marrow aspirate (BMA)
Bone marrow aspirate involves extracting a small amount of bone marrow from your sternum or hip bone and injecting it at the injury site. Bone marrow consists of stem cells that can differentiate into cartilage, bone, and muscle cells, promoting cell regeneration and healing. The procedure requires about 30 minutes to complete. You may experience mild discomfort at the aspiration site, but the recovery time is relatively short.
If you have a severe sports injury, call Dr. Westerdahl or book an appointment online for treatment.
