Managing Chronic Pain During the Holidays
During the holiday season, any relief from your chronic pain can feel like a precious gift. This guide explores tools and treatments that can help you unwrap that relief.
The Benefits of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix
Regenerative medicine is an emerging area of medical care focused on finding ways to help your body repair and replace damaged organs and tissues. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a form of regenerative medicine used to support healing of sports injuries, ease osteoarthritis pain, and rejuvenate the skin.
With advances in research and technology, scientists have created the next generation of platelet concentrates called platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), which has a higher concentration of platelets than PRP.
At Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Plano and Addison, Texas, Dr. Trace Alexander is dedicated to providing patients with the most innovative treatments available to relieve pain and promote health. We now offer regenerative therapy using the Selphyl® PRFM System that converts PRP into PRFM.
Since PRFM isn’t as well known as PRP, we wanted to share some of the benefits of platelet-rich fibrin matrix.
PRP vs. PRFM
In order to understand the benefits of PRFM, we need to first explain the differences between PRP and PRFM.
PRP is the first generation of platelet concentrates made by spinning a sample of blood in a centrifuge, separating the cells of the blood into three layers with red blood cells at the bottom, white blood cells in the middle, and platelets on top.
Because the platelets settle on top of the white blood cells, we remove both types of cells and do a second centrifuge, isolating the platelets to make the PRP. We then add activating agents to stimulate the release of the growth factors from the platelets.
To get the most benefits from PRP therapy, we like a platelet concentration at least two times higher than what normally circulates in the blood. However, the amount of platelets in PRP varies and depends on the protocol used to make it.
That’s where PRFM comes in. We use the Selphyl PRFM system that turns PRP into PRFM. This system spins the blood at a lower speed, creating a blood product that has a higher concentration of platelets, as well as beneficial immune cells that support healing.
Unlike PRP, PRFM naturally releases growth factors without the need for an activator.
Benefits of PRFM
PRFM is the second generation of platelet concentrates and offers several advantages over PRP.
Some of the benefits of PRFM include:
- No need for external activators
- Naturally contains growth factors and healing cells
- Slower release of growth factors for prolonged healing
PRFM helps overcome some of the disadvantages of PRP. In order to get the most benefits from PRP, it needs to have the right amount of platelets and be administered in a timely manner, usually within 10 minutes of activation.
Further, the activator triggers the release of most of the growth factors in PRP within the first hour, so the healing powers may not last long.
PRFM naturally has a higher concentration of platelets, along with the natural elements the body uses to release the healing cells. Some studies show that PRFM may release growth factors for up to seven days.
Treatment with PRFM
PRFM treatment is similar to PRP treatment. We draw a sample of your blood, place it in a special tube with a cell-separating gel and spin it in the centrifuge. We then transfer the platelets and plasma to a second tube containing a calcium chloride solution that turns the PRP into PRFM.
We then inject the PRFM into the part of the body in need of therapy. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. You may experience some swelling and bruising at the site of your injection, but any side effects are mild and resolve quickly.
We customize PRFM therapy based on your needs and goals, and you may need more than one session to get results. We may use PRFM to treat musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and sports injuries. We also offer PRFM with some of our aesthetic services like microneedling for skin rejuvenation and treatment for hair loss.
PRFM is a novel regenerative therapy we’re excited to offer to our patients. Call us today at 972-899-9797 or request an appointment online to learn more about PRFM and how it may benefit you.
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