Injuries and sports just seem to go hand in hand nowadays, just ask James Harden the Houston Rockets star Shooting Guard. During his last game against the Golden State Warriors Harden bumped into Jeremy Lin and actually hyperextended his right elbow. As a result of the traumatic injury Harden became ineffective during overtime; he missed 2 out 3 shots and displayed the inability to dribble effectively with his right hand.
Hyperextension of the elbow occurs quickly and suddenly, much like injuries in contact sports such as football and occasionally basketball. It occurs when the arm is involuntarily straightened with an excessive force, causing it to extend beyond its normal range of motion. In addition, bruising of the humerus and olecranon can occur along with damaging soft tissue around the area as well, such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
Platelet rich plasma is an effective form of treatment for this type of injury because if an MRI is performed and it is consistent with tears sustained to the cartilage, ligaments and tendons of the elbow, this treatment can accelerate the healing process. The treatment is actually autologous, meaning that it uses components found within your own body, in particular your blood. The blood is drawn and is then placed into a bi-directional centrifuge which is spun at high speeds to separate the blood to form a high concentration of platelets which contain many different growth factors. The treatment is then administered to the site of injury under ultrasound guidance to insure accurate placement. Over the course of time the growth factors will regenerate and rapidly heal the damaged cartilage, tendon and ligaments of the affected site!
If you or someone you may know that may have suffered from a similar injury and would like to know more about this innovative treatment plan, I encourage you to come in for a consultation at my office, Cross Bay Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, P.C. located in Howard Beach, Queens.