Baxter Health Bone & Joint Clinic surgeons Dr. Thomas E. Knox and Dr. Ed Roeder will lead a free public event on Thursday, Nov. 19, to introduce ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy. The session will begin at 6 p.m. in the Gregory Room at the Mountain Home Community Center, located at 1 Community Center Drive, with dinner provided by Little B’s.
Baxter Health announced that this procedure, now available at the clinic, uses a patient’s own blood to promote healing for damaged joints and tendons. Staff from Bioventus, the company behind the XCELL PRP system utilized by the clinic, will demonstrate the equipment and address questions from attendees.
PRP therapy involves collecting a small amount of the patient’s blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, and injecting the resultant plasma into the injured area. According to Baxter Health, the technique enhances the body’s natural healing abilities by increasing the concentration of growth factors and proteins at the site of injury.
The XCELL PRP system, a key component of the program, can produce platelet concentrations up to 10 times those found in whole blood. Baxter Health noted that this feature addresses inconsistent results linked to earlier PRP methods, where concentrations varied widely. Another innovation being employed is the use of ultrasound guidance, allowing surgeons to precisely target treatment areas in real time.
PRP injections are being offered as a regenerative medicine option for conditions such as knee and hip osteoarthritis, tendon injuries like rotator cuff tendinitis and tennis elbow, ligament sprains, and other soft tissue problems. The approach may suit patients seeking alternatives to surgery, or those looking to manage chronic joint or muscle pain naturally.
Dr. Knox, who has been practicing orthopedic medicine in north central Arkansas for over 40 years, shared optimism about the treatment’s potential. “One recent patient I treated reported complete pain relief after a PRP injection in her ankle. This is exactly why I want to raise awareness of this technology in our community,” Knox said.
Dr. Roeder emphasized the procedure’s value in advancing care locally. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery, having trained at institutions including Stanford University and Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Knox is also board-certified, with fellowship distinctions from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
The event reflects Baxter Health’s continued investment in expanding local specialty medicine. The clinic said the additions of the surgeons, along with advanced systems like XCELL PRP and robotic-assisted devices for knee surgeries, are designed to reduce residents' need to travel to larger cities for care.
Seating for the Nov. 19 session is limited. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 16, at https://form.jotform.com/263023640481046. For additional information, call the Baxter Health Bone & Joint Clinic at 870-424-4710 or visit https://www.baxterhealth.org/KnoxPRP.