Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Relief from Hip Tendonitis
Tendonitis is characterized by inflammation of a tendon. A tendon is tissue that attaches muscles to bones. Tendonitis can affect any tendon in the body, but most commonly occurs around shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and hips. It is a common sports, hobby, and occupational injury and the etiology is typically overuse.
Hip tendonitis is often caused by repetitive strain related to overuse. This happens in individuals performing heavy physical work that involves the hip, and includes activities such as performing exercises that are beyond the capacity of the body’s tolerance. When an individual begins a new type of exercise or sport, the muscles and tendons may not be accustomed to the movements required and hence injury can occur. Similarly, increasing the duration and intensity of exercise may result in injury leading to hip tendonitis. Sudden progression in exercise without appropriate preparation may also cause hip tendonitis. Individuals who are engaged in sports such as cycling and running when associated with over straining also have the higher chances for developing hip tendonitis.
Today, regenerative medicine techniques have been proven to both regenerate ligaments and joints thereby, relieving pain. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is one such technique that uses injections of your own platelets and growth factors, extracted from your blood. The blood draw and injection are done at the same office visit, an outpatient clinical procedure.
PRP has shown great promise in stimulating repair of body tissues including tendons, ligaments and cartilage. PRP mimics the body’s innate response to an injury by stimulating platelet activation. The activation of platelets plays a dynamic role in soft tissue healing.
Research shows that PRP is superior to other injections in the treatment of chronic tendonitis. The growth factors in PRP can signal the body to initiate a healing response in the local injected tissues. Healing is the first step in injured tissues regenerating their strength and function. It has been used extensively in professional athletes who seek hurried return to play.
If you have an injury or condition involving a tendon, ligament, joint or osteoarthritis, PRP may be a nonsurgical option for you.