Some local athletes are finding pain relief with a medical treatment that uses the bodys natural healing powers. Orthopedic surgeons and pain medicine doctors are using it in some cases where surgery isnt an option.Its called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP. And while it isnt new, it's relatively new in the Midwest, compared to coastal areas. Typically, we found it very effective for our athletes at the University of Toledo and we used it for their acute tendon injuries and ligament injuries there werent surgical, said Dr. Jeffery Ebel, sports medicine specialist with Ortho Nebraska. Ebel did his fellowship training in regenerative medicine in Ohio where he treated college football players with PRP.To do the procedure, a nurse does a simple blood draw from a vein in the patients arm. Then the blood is spun in a centrifuge and it separates into different layers. Doctors use a syringe to pull out just the platelet rich plasma layer. Then its injected into the patients joint or inflamed area. So the magic behind it, the thought process behind it is if we put these cells into an area that doesnt heal well on its own, will it bring that healing cascade to try to help a person heal an injury, said Ebel.Last fall, Ebel treated Bellevue University softball pitcher Cory Carillo with PRP.Her team trainer sent her to Ebel after she joined the team and brought along a nagging knee injury. Carillo has been a pitcher since age 6. My knee started hurting about two years ago. I kind of thought, Im going to get over it, said Carillo. But the inflammation was getting in the way of playing her best. She said her pitching style is a little awkward and her left knee locks when she releases the ball, causing the pain. Four months after the injection, Carillo is back to pitching and feeling great.Its actually really good. No pain. Im squatting. I couldnt squat before. Now Im full pitching which is awesome, said the 19-year-old. Ebel said the PRP treatments are most effective in treating young athletes and people with osteoarthritis. He notes the success rate is about 65-percent. He said the challenging part is that its a newer science and, We still dont understand quite how it works or who its going to work in, Ebel said. Ebel said golfer Tiger Woods credits PRP for relieving his pain and getting him back in the game again. He was one of the success stories, said Ebel. Several orthopedic specialists and pain medicine specialists offer the treatment in the Omaha and Lincoln area, including Ebel with Ortho Nebraska, Dr Thomas Brooks, with Innovative Pain and Spine Specialists in Omaha and Dr Kelly Zach at the Lincoln location. Some providers at Nebraska Medicine also offer PRP. Treatments start at $675 and up. And its a cash-only treatment. Insurance does not cover PRP. Some patients require two injections, months apart, to find relief.

Some local athletes are finding pain relief with a medical treatment that uses the bodys natural healing powers. Orthopedic surgeons and pain medicine doctors are using it in some cases where surgery isnt an option.

Its called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP. And while it isnt new, it's relatively new in the Midwest, compared to coastal areas.

Typically, we found it very effective for our athletes at the University of Toledo and we used it for their acute tendon injuries and ligament injuries there werent surgical, said Dr. Jeffery Ebel, sports medicine specialist with Ortho Nebraska.

Dr Jeffrey Ebel uses PRP for certain patients to help with pain relief.

Ebel did his fellowship training in regenerative medicine in Ohio where he treated college football players with PRP.

To do the procedure, a nurse does a simple blood draw from a vein in the patients arm. Then the blood is spun in a centrifuge and it separates into different layers. Doctors use a syringe to pull out just the platelet rich plasma layer. Then its injected into the patients joint or inflamed area.

So the magic behind it, the thought process behind it is if we put these cells into an area that doesnt heal well on its own, will it bring that healing cascade to try to help a person heal an injury, said Ebel.

Last fall, Ebel treated Bellevue University softball pitcher Cory Carillo with PRP.

Her team trainer sent her to Ebel after she joined the team and brought along a nagging knee injury. Carillo has been a pitcher since age 6.

My knee started hurting about two years ago. I kind of thought, Im going to get over it, said Carillo.

Cory is back to pitching full time and she says she is pain-free.

But the inflammation was getting in the way of playing her best. She said her pitching style is a little awkward and her left knee locks when she releases the ball, causing the pain. Four months after the injection, Carillo is back to pitching and feeling great.

Its actually really good. No pain. Im squatting. I couldnt squat before. Now Im full pitching which is awesome, said the 19-year-old.

Ebel said the PRP treatments are most effective in treating young athletes and people with osteoarthritis. He notes the success rate is about 65-percent. He said the challenging part is that its a newer science and, We still dont understand quite how it works or who its going to work in, Ebel said.

Ebel said golfer Tiger Woods credits PRP for relieving his pain and getting him back in the game again.

He was one of the success stories, said Ebel.

Several orthopedic specialists and pain medicine specialists offer the treatment in the Omaha and Lincoln area, including Ebel with Ortho Nebraska, Dr Thomas Brooks, with Innovative Pain and Spine Specialists in Omaha and Dr Kelly Zach at the Lincoln location.

Some providers at Nebraska Medicine also offer PRP. Treatments start at $675 and up. And its a cash-only treatment. Insurance does not cover PRP. Some patients require two injections, months apart, to find relief.

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Doctors harness the body's healing powers to fight pain - KETV Omaha