PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is an increasingly popular regenerative medicine treatment for all-natural pain relief. It uses a concentration of plasma harvested from the patient’s blood sample to treat multiple injuries and relieve pain in joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The science behind PRP is to facilitate tissue healing and regeneration by injecting increased platelets and bioactive molecules. Blood comprises RBCs, WBCs, and numerous building blocks like platelets and plasma. Plasma transports cells throughout the body, while platelets promote tissue repair and clotting when tissue is injured or damaged. Moreover, platelets also include hundreds and thousands of small proteins. These are called growth factors. They initiate the process of tissue repair.
Safe
Effective
Non-Invasive
Process
The process of platelet-rich plasma therapy is simple. It uses the patient’s blood to make an injectable mixture, an enhanced platelet concentration. This helps maximize tissue repair and rejuvenation.
Blood Sample
The patient’s blood sample is taken first for synthesizing the injection. The blood sample is processed in the centrifuge.
Injections into Targeted Area
After ten to twenty minutes in the centrifuge, the platelet-rich plasma is separated from red blood cells. This mixture is then injected into the targeted area/patient’s injured tissue or site of pain.
Healing & Tissue Regeneration
The serum’s growth factors and bioactive proteins serve as catalysts to accelerate healing and tissue regeneration. The patient may receive one or more PRP shots six to eight weeks apart, depending on their condition.
Advantages & Benefits Compared to Steroid Injections
PRP is Safer
Compared to steroid injections, PRP is safer and offers more benefits. Cortisone or steroid injections provide instant pain relief, but it is only temporary. On the other hand, PRP therapy offers pain relief that lasts longer.
Pain Relief & Recovery
Steroid injections are limited to pain relief. They don’t offer healing properties, thereby causing more damage once the effects of the injection wear off. However, PRP therapy offers more than just pain relief. The therapy injects growth factors that promote tissue repair, regeneration, and healing. So, the patient experiences relief from pain while getting on the path of recovery as it simultaneously heals the painful joints, muscles, and tendons.
Side Effects
Regarding side effects, steroid injections can deteriorate your joints, bones, and ligaments. However, with PRP, side effects are minimal because the patient inhibits the body’s natural healing process with their own blood. Side effects of PRP therapy include soreness which gets better after some time.
Long Term ReliefÂ
Platelet-rich plasma therapy benefits the patient more in the long run because it doesn’t mask the pain by providing temporary relief. It heals the injured tissue and addresses the cause of the pain.
Applications
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is an effective regenerative medicine treatment suitable for various conditions. This therapy is highly-effective for chronic muscle pain, strained ligaments, and sports injuries helping individuals to resume regular activities with minimal pain or discomfort. PRP therapy can be effective for injuries like:
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Additional Applications
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Knee Sprains
• Ankle Sprains
• Joint Osteoarthritis
• Hip Strains
• Pulled Hamstring Muscles
• Jumper's Knee
For more information on PRP regenerative medicine modality, contact us. Schedule a consultation with our board-certified doctor to discuss your condition and determine whether PRP suits you.
