Platelet Rich Plasma For Joint Pain – May Help Avoid Surgery

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) May Help Avoid Surgery

Platelet rich plasma (PRP), is human blood that is spun down and separated producing a concentration of platelets. Platelets are the clotting cells of our blood, but they also have great potential in enhancing healing of muscle, tendon, and ligaments. Studies suggest that  platelets may amplify tissue repair, and accelerate soft tissue healing.

Platelet Rich Plasma has been used in knee related conditions, shoulder pain, foot and ankle pain, as well as many other conditions. It has also shown great promise when injected into chronically injured tendons and when proper healing has not taken place.  We have seen great results when it is injected into spinal ligaments, into facet joints, and/or inter vertebral discs when other traditional treatments have failed.

Platelets are naturally extremely rich in the connective tissue growth and healing factors. The body’s first response to tissue injury is to deliver platelets to the area. Platelets initiate repair and attract stem cells to the injury. Injecting these growth factors into damaged ligaments, tendons, and joints stimulates the natural repair process. In order to maximize the healing process, the platelets must be concentrated and separated from the red blood cells. The goal of PRP is to maximize the number of platelets while minimizing the number of red blood cells in a solution that is injected into the injured or pained area(s). In summary, PRP creates, stimulates, and accelerates the body’s natural healing process.

WHICH CONDITIONS BENEFIT MOST FROM PRP?

This treatment works most effectively for chronic ligament and tendon sprains/strains that have failed other conservative treatment, including but not limited to:

It can also be effective for many cases of osteoarthritis by stimulating healing of cartilage and reducing pain and disability in Knee arthritis, Hip joint arthritis, Shoulder arthritis, Ankle arthritis.

WILL THIS TREATMENT HELP ME AVOID SURGERY?

With any treatment option the outcome and sustained results are highly dependent on the extent of the injury. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) May Help Avoid Surgery and could potentially prevent the development of further degeneration. However, in advanced arthritic degeneration the goal of the treatment is to minimize pain and improve function.