Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) has gained a lot of attention in recent years as a way to accelerate the healing of various injuries by injecting a patient’s own platelet cells into the injury site, enabling the body to heal itself more quickly. As this treatment has become more popular, it seems more healthcare facilities here in Atlanta are offering PRP, either as an exclusive treatment or in addition to other healthcare services. How do you know which facility is right for you? Here are a few things to look for when choosing an Atlanta PRP specialist.
As with any other type of procedure, experience matters. PRP therapy isn’t a new concept — surgeons have been utilizing PRP in various applications since the 1970s, and using it to treat physical injuries since the late 1990s — but its recent surge of popularity means a lot of practitioners out there are fairly new to the concept. When considering a PRP specialist, be sure to ask how long the doctor has been practicing, and more importantly, how many successful procedures he/she has performed. You don’t necessarily need a doctor who has done PRP for 20 years (and that’s a rarity), but you want someone who’s done enough treatments to give you confidence in their abilities.
One way to decide on a good Atlanta PRP specialist is simply to ask around: Has anyone you know had the therapy? Where did they go to have it done, and were they satisfied? If you are actively involved in athletics, chances are someone in your community has had PRP therapy. If not, ask other friends and family — and if you don’t know anyone, check reviews online.
With some areas of business or practice, we assume that if a business focuses on just one thing, they must be the best at what they do. This is not necessarily the case with PRP therapy because you already must be a licensed medical professional in a related field to be trained to do it. Furthermore, PRP isn’t the best solution for everyone, and you may need other types of treatment for your injuries, If you go to a facility that does injection therapies exclusively, what do you do if the therapy doesn’t work as it should? (Answer: You’ll have to go somewhere else.) By contrast, if you choose an Atlanta PRP specialist at a facility that includes PRP therapy among other treatment options, you know you’re dealing with a medical professional who takes a broad approach to your care, not just jumping on a popularity bandwagon.
At Polaris Spine and Neurosurgery Center, not only are our surgeons highly experienced in PRP therapy, but we offer a wide range of treatment options for back pain, spinal injuries and sports-related injuries to ensure you have a treatment program customized to your needs. To learn more, call us at 404-256-2633.
