Is Biologic Therapy Safe? What Patients in Schaumburg Should Know

Key Takeaways

• Biologic injection therapy, most commonly platelet-rich plasma (PRP), uses a concentrated form of a patient's own blood to support healing.
• The safety profile of PRP and other biologic injections is generally favorable, with side effects similar to those seen with cortisone injections.
• Not every patient or condition is an ideal candidate for biologic therapy, and a thorough evaluation helps determine who will benefit most.
• Setting realistic expectations matters, since biologic treatments work gradually and results can take weeks to become noticeable.
• Dr. Mark A. Yaffe of Barrington Orthopedic Specialists offers biologic injection therapy to patients throughout Schaumburg, and scheduling a consultation is the best way to find out if it is right for you.

APPOINTMENTS

What Is a Biologic Medication in Orthopedic Care?

Patients researching non-surgical treatment options often come across the term 'biologic injection therapy' and want to know exactly what it means before committing to a plan. In simple terms, a biologic medication in this context refers to a substance derived from a patient's own body, most commonly blood, that is used to help injured tissue heal.

Dr. Mark A. Yaffe, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery, offers biologic injection therapy as one of several minimally invasive options for patients throughout Schaumburg who want to avoid or delay surgery.

What Is PRP Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is the most widely used form of biologic injection therapy in orthopedic medicine. The process involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting that concentrated plasma into the injured area.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) OrthoInfo, platelets contain hundreds of growth factor proteins that play an important role in the body's natural healing process. PRP simply delivers a higher concentration of these growth factors directly to the site of injury.

Is PRP Safe? What the Research Shows

Safety is often the first question patients ask, and it is a reasonable one. Because PRP uses a patient's own blood rather than a synthetic drug, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is very low.

Per AAOS OrthoInfo, the risks associated with PRP therapy are minimal. The most common side effect is increased pain at the injection site, and the overall incidence of complications such as infection, tissue damage, or nerve injury appears no different than the risks associated with standard cortisone injections. This makes PRP one of the safer injection-based options available for appropriate candidates.

What Are Biological Treatments Used For?

Biologic injections are not a universal fix, but research supports their use for a specific set of conditions. Per AAOS OrthoInfo, current evidence shows PRP can be effective for:

• Chronic tendon injuries, particularly tennis elbow.
• Low- to moderate-grade knee osteoarthritis, with some studies showing benefits lasting up to two years.
• Certain acute ligament and muscle injuries, though results vary by patient and injury type.

The same source notes that evidence is still limited for other uses, such as during rotator cuff or ACL surgery, where research has not consistently shown a clear benefit.

Comparing Biologic Injection Therapy and Traditional Treatments

Are You a Candidate for Biologic Therapy?

Not every patient or condition responds the same way to biologic injection therapy. Dr. Yaffe evaluates each patient's history, imaging, and specific diagnosis before recommending PRP or another biologic option. Ideal candidates are typically those with chronic tendon injuries or mild to moderate joint arthritis who want to explore non-surgical treatment before considering more invasive procedures.

What You Need to Know Before Your First Treatment

Setting realistic expectations makes a real difference in how patients experience biologic therapy. A few important points to keep in mind:

• Relief is not always immediate. Some patients notice improvement within days, while others may need several weeks.
• More than one treatment session may be needed depending on the condition being treated.
• Insurance coverage for PRP and other biologic injections varies, so it is worth checking with your provider ahead of time.

Schedule a Biologic Therapy Consultation in Schaumburg

Biologic injection therapy offers Schaumburg patients a well-studied, minimally invasive option for certain tendon and joint conditions, backed by a safety profile comparable to treatments patients already know and trust. The key is working with a specialist who can determine whether it is the right fit for your specific injury.

To find out if PRP or another biologic treatment could help you avoid surgery, request an appointment with Dr. Mark A. Yaffe at the Schaumburg office of Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions