Nathan Wei

A number of methods have been used to repair of cartilage damage The first is osteochondral transplantation, which involves taking a plug of cartilage from a non-weight bearing area and placing it into a defect in a weight-bearing region

Platelet rich plasma (or PRP as it is called) is the “treatment du jour” for many soft tissue injuries since being mentioned as the technique that allowed Hines Ward to play in the Super Bowl Before stating specifically what PRP is, I will discuss the rationale behind its use

In the last few years, a number of methods have been developed to repair cartilage damage These include osteochondral transplantation, microfracture surgery and autologous chondrocyte (cartilage cell) implantation

Steelers wide receiver, Hines Ward, underwent a medical procedure using platelet-rich plasma- PRP- before the Super Bowl XLIII It allowed him to play in this critical game

Gout is a form of arthritis due to the buildup of uric acid crystals in one or more joints Uric acid is a byproduct that is produced when certain foods containing purines are metabolized

The holy grail will be to one day institute treatments that help regenerate normal tissue in areas where normal tissue has been damaged or worn Research into the use of stem cells for this purpose looks promising

Tendonitis refers to a condition where there is inflammation of a tendon or group of tendons Tendons are the “ropes” that connect muscles to bones

So, you’ve been diagnosed with tendonitis and you’ve gone through the usual types of treatment programs like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even cortisone shots What else is available

Medicines can treat and help with many medical problems such as arthritis However they must be taken according to instructions to ensure they are safe and effective

When you’re looking for a medical specialist, it’s sometimes really difficult because you don’t know who’s good and who isn’t Sometimes you can rely on a friend or relative who’s seen somebody… or you can call the local hospital because sometimes they’ll give you the names of people who specialize