Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative Medicine is a branch of veterinary medicine in which the body’s own cells are used to heal and repair damaged tissue.
Regenerative Medicine in St. George, UT
Learn more about the services we offer at Washington Family Veterinary Clinic. Our amazing veterinary team strives to provide the best possible service through every stage of your pet’s life!
Platelet Rich Plasma
What is PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma is a highly concentrated sample of blood that has been processed to contain a high number of platelets in the fluid portion of the blood known as plasma.
WHY ARE PLATELETS USED AS A THERAPY?
Platelets are potent cells that contain a reservoir of messenger proteins known as growth factors. When a vessel is damaged in the body, platelets are the first-in-line responders to go to the area and stop any further damage from occurring.Once at the site of damage, platelets release growth factors which signal to other cells in the body to repair the damaged tissue.
When other areas of the body are damaged but have poor/low blood circulation as seen in joints with arthritis, platelets are unable to make it to the area to heal the damaged tissue. By concentrating the platelets and injecting them directly into the area of injury/damage, we are able to harness the beneficial effects of the growth factors and place them in an area where they are needed most.
What can PRP be used for?
Platelet Rich Plasma can be used for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions which include:
- Arthritis
- Post–Operative Joint Pain
- Soft Tissue Injuries (Ligament, Tendon & Muscle)
- Chronic Joint Pain
- Inflammation and Discomfort associated with dysplasia
- Chronic Wounds/ Burns
What are the benefits of PRP?
- Minimally invasive
- No side-effects since it uses the patient’s own blood
- Provides lubrication of the joint space
- Preserves the remaining cartilage of the joint
How is PRP obtained?
Platelet Rich Plasma is obtained by taking a small sample of blood and spinning it down in a specialized processing system to isolate and concentrate the platelets in the fluid portion of the blood calledplasma.The process takes less than 15 minutes and is done during a single office visit.
HOW IS PRP ADMINISTERED?
Platelet Rich Plasma is injected directly into the area of injury which includes joints (for arthritis), tendons, ligaments and muscles.
WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED AFTER THE INJECTION?
Due to the potent nature of plateletsand their growth factors, after injection patients may exhibit soreness or stiffness in the injected area. This typically subsides within 24-48 hours post-injection.
DO ANY MEDICATIONS INTERACT WITH PRP?
While NSAIDS are beneficial in the treatment of inflammation and its associated pain, they can also prevent the activity of Platelets since they are inflammatory cells. This interaction can prevent the platelets from recruiting cells to the site of injury to heal and repair the tissue. This is why it is recommended to withhold NSAID medication for two weeks prior to and 2 weeks after injecting Platelet Rich Plasma.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY DONE IN PRECAUTION FOR A PRP INJECTION?
On the day of the treatment, a small area of the neck and any areas to be treated will be clipped free of hair. This allows the area to be effectively cleaned, significantly reducing the chance of infection.
WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING A PRP INJECTION?
Following a PRP injection, it is recommended to limit activity to short leash walks on even/flat surfaces. Stairs, steps, and slippery floor surfaces should all be avoided post-injection unless the patient is assisted. Jumping, running, or any strenuous activity should be limited to allow the repair and healing of the tissues to take place.
HOW SOON AFTER TREATMENT WIL RESULTS SHOW?
While each patient‘sresponse will vary, results from treatments are typically noted starting 2-3 weeks post-injection.It is recommended to schedule a follow–upappointment to monitor treatment progress and report any changes in behaviors/habits.
Stem Cell Therapy
WHAT IS STEM CELL THERAPY?
Stem cell therapy is an area of medicine where stem cells are isolated from a patient’s tissues and used to treat areas of injury that are in need of repair.
WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?
Stem cells are the building blocks of every tissue in the body. They have the unique ability to transform into various tissue types and activate (“wake–up”) other stem cells under appropriate circumstances.
WHY ARE STEM CELLS USED AS A THERAPY?
When used as a therapy, stem cells act as a conductor for tissue repair. They coordinate new tissue formation, regulate inflammation, and reduce the formation of scar tissue.
WHERE DO STEM CELLS COME FROM?
While stem cells can be found in every tissue of the body, they are typically isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue due to their high concentrations in these tissues.
HOW ARE STEM CELLS OBTAINED?
Obtaining bone marrow is the least invasive approach for collecting stem cells for therapeutic applications. While the pet is under general anesthesia, a small incision is made on the hip where a sample of bone marrow is collected. This sample is then processed using a specialized processing system that isolates and concentrates the stem cells and other beneficial cells. The concentrated sample is then injected directly into the site of injury to begin the healing and repair of the tissues.
WHAT CAN STEM CELL THERAPY BE USED FOR?
Stem cell therapy can be used in a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions for long-term pain relief and repair.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STEM CELL THERAPY?
- Delivers the “building blocks” to the area of injury to repair and heal the tissue
- Minimally Invasive
- Drug-Free
- Provides long-lasting pain relief and healing from acute and chronic injuries
- Minimal side effects since it is the patient’s own cells
HOW ARE STEM CELLS ADMINISTERED?
Stem Cells are injected directly into the injured tissue, which may include the joint, muscle, tendon or ligament.
WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
The patient may exhibit increased tenderness from the area where the bone marrow was collected from. Symptoms of soreness/tenderness typically subside within 24-48 hours after the procedure.
WHAT IS RECOMMENDED AFTER STEM CELL INJECTIONS?
Following stem cell injections, it is recommended to limit activity to short leash walks on even/flat surfaces. Stairs, steps, and slippery floor surfaces should all be avoided post-injection unless the patient is assisted. Jumping, running, or any strenuous activity should be limited to allow the repair and healing of the tissues to take place.
DO ANY MEDICATIONS INTERACT WITH STEM CELL THERAPY?
While NSAIDs are beneficial in treating inflammation and its associated pain, they can also prevent Stem Cells from recruiting cells to the site of injury to heal and repair the tissue. This is why it is recommended to withhold NSAID medication for two weeks before and 8 weeks after injecting stem cells.
HOW SOON AFTER TREATMENT WILL RESULTS SHOW?
While each patient‘s response will vary, improvements from treatments are typically noted starting 2-3 weeks post-injection. A follow-up appointment to monitor treatment progress and report any changes in behaviors/habits is recommended.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY DONE IN PREPARATION FOR A STEM CELL INJECTION?
On the day of the treatment, a small area of the hip will be clipped free of hair along with any areas that are going to be treated. This allows the area to be effectively cleaned to reduce the chance of infection significantly.