Platelet-rich plasma has become a favorite treatment for professional athletes and weekend warriors alike, but its value goes beyond use as a treatment to existing injuries. As Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher, Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has proven, PRP can also be utilized as a preventative treatment. Dr. William Bennett at Bennett Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine has long recognized the importance of PRP in helping his patients accelerate and enhance the body’s natural healing process. For the past seven years, Dr. Bennett has offered PRP treatments to successfully treat tendon injuries, osteoarthritis, meniscal injuries, rotator cuff problems, plantar fasciitis, and so much more.

Ohtani Strategically Uses PRP to Preserve His Playing Abilities

Shohei Ohtani recently sustained ligament damage to his throwing arm. According to his doctor, “Although partial damage in deep layer of his right UCL exists… he is able to continue full baseball participation with sufficient elbow care program.” It would appear that PRP injections are being used as his elbow care program. The Los Angeles Angels recently signed Ohtani and have demonstrated confidence in the PRP treatments to keep Ohtani healthy enough to play through the regular season.

How Does PRP Act As a Therapy For UCL Injuries?

In Ohtani’s case, PRP is the perfect therapy for his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury. The majority of high-level throwing athletes experience UCL damage and tears, and studies show that PRP can be used successfully to treat such conditions. One study published in The American Journal of Orthopedics in July 2016 found that PRP can be used to treat partial UCL tears in high-level throwing athletes in order to prevent the need for surgery and its prolonged recovery period.  A full 73 percent of players who failed to demonstrate positive results with a conservative treatment had good to excellent outcomes with PRP injections. PRP’s ability to accelerate natural healing and improve blood flow to ligaments makes it a unique and unparalleled treatment option.

Using PRP As a Preventative Measure For Other Athletes

Major League Baseball pitchers aren’t the only athletes who can benefit from PRP treatments. Unlike surgery, which is only completed as a response to an existing injury, PRP therapy can be utilized as a preventative therapy in areas most prone to injury based on each athlete’s physical activities. While a pitcher can use PRP in the shoulder, a runner can use PRP in the knees or a golfer or tennis player can use PRP in the elbow. Regular PRP injections will allow the body to recover from injury before that damage has the opportunity to cause severe pain or limitation. This in turn extends an athlete’s career, increases the odds that he can continue playing all season, and preserves his overall range of motion.

Professional and recreational athletes looking for superior PRP therapy can call Dr. Bennett at (941) 229-1648 to schedule a PRP consultation. Dr. Bennett is always at the forefront of alternative medicine and is proud to offer PRP treatments with a proven success rate.