Tumbling can take a toll on the body as 19 year old Danielle can attest. As a junior in high school, Danielle tore her ACL and meniscus while executing a complicated tumbling pass. She underwent reconstructive surgery but less than one year later her meniscus was re-torn. Once again, Danielle was rendered immobile and dependent on crutches. Her surgeon recommended a meniscectomy, but Danielle was hesitant due to the long term effects such as early onset of arthritis. “I was afraid to go through surgery again and potentially have knee problems for the rest of my life so I decided to see Dr. Guyer. Instead of recommending surgery, he suggested a treatment called PRP.” PRP stands for Plasma Rich Platelets which is a FDA-approved therapeutic injection process for the growth, repair, and rehabilitation of connective tissue. It utilizes a unique and novel cutting-edge approach, isolating and utilizing the body’s own derived cell growth factors. Growth factors are short protein chain molecules made by many cells in the body. These growth factors are cell signalers to which the body’s cells respond to improve their own cell regeneration, growth, and repair. Danielle underwent a series of PRP injections. “I was skeptical at first as to how that would fix my meniscus, not to mention apprehensive about needles, but I decided to give it a try. After each injection, my knee started to feel stronger, and I was able to walk unassisted after the first two treatments.” Following the completion of the PRP injections and physical therapy, Danielle was able to return to tumbling and stunting. She even cheered the entire school year at Purdue, an activity her surgeon suggested would be impossible following her second injury. “I encourage any athlete who is struggling with an injury to think outside the box and try alternative therapies—it changed my life.”
