Living with an injury or wound that just won’t heal? Some injuries take a long time to heal; especially injuries to the musculoskeletal system, such as sprains, strains, tears, and fractures. These injuries – and any injury that takes a long time to heal – can keep you from your favorite activities and exercise.

They can also keep you from just living a normal life without pain and discomfort. Many people that find themselves living with injuries turn to treatments such as rest, pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and even surgery. But, each of these treatments carries a risk. They’re not your only available options. You have another choice, too. Innovations Medical offers stem cell therapy for sports injuries.

Cause of Sports Injuries

Most injuries occur when the tissue and muscles are quickly pushed past their limits. This can often happen during a number of sports — from football to gymnastics. While most injuries may come as minor sprains, bumps, and bruises, other injuries need more time to heal. For example, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common occurrence in sports such as soccer, basketball, football, and downhill skiing. Typically, it can take up to a year for players to fully recover. But, if complications with the injury occur or if the injury persists past that timeframe, it may be considered a nagging injury.

Why do some injuries take longer to heal?

Some injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries, take longer to heal because of low blood flow to the injury site. When circulation in the area around the injury is poor, the necessary nutrients for healing, such as oxygen, blood, and growth factors don’t make it to the site to start the healing process. When this happens, it can mean the tissue in the area of injury is weakened – even after healing.

Common Sports Injuries

From football to baseball and volleyball to tennis, sports are a great way to get exercise. But, they also come with a risk of injury that can range in severity. Injuries like sprains can be minor and heal with rest and ice, but severe sprains can take longer to heal. The most common sports injuries include:

• Ankle sprain
• Groin pull
• Hamstring strain
• Shin splints
• Knee injury — such as an ACL tear
• Knee injury — such as patellofemoral syndrome
• Tennis elbow

Symptoms of a Nagging Injury

As the name implies, the most common symptom of a nagging injury is when the injury is still present after the expected healing timeframe. A nagging injury can also reoccur often and may include other symptoms, such as:

• Bleeding
• Bone deformity
• Burns or blisters
• Joint swelling
• Lacerations or cuts
• Pain (acute or chronic)
• Reduced mobility
• Scrapes
• Tissue swelling or discoloration

How do stem cells help sports injuries?

Stem cell therapy provided by Innovations Stem Cell can help heal slow-healing sports injuries and other types of injuries by harnessing the healing power of your stem cells and putting them right where you need them. Our stem cell therapy takes fat from another area of your body and spins it to separate your stem cells from blood and other tissue. These stem cells are then introduced back into your body at the site of your injury or through an IV. Once deployed back into your body, the stem cells go to work healing your damaged tissue.

Since stem cells are the most basic building blocks of the body, they are fundamental to healing. Stem cells also carry powerful growth factors that tell the immune system to send help in the form of healing proteins and white blood cells. The result is faster healing and stronger tissue. Other benefits to you include less pain and improved quality of life.

If you’re living with a nagging injury that just does not seem to be getting better, give us a call today to talk about our stem cell therapy options and if they’re right for you. Call us now at (214) 643-8665 for more information or to schedule your consultation.