Professional athletes and working individuals alike experience joint pain from time to time. While the occasional discomfort or soreness can be expected, it's important to recognize when chronic pain or serious joint injuries are developing. The prospect of having to undergo an invasive, risky surgical procedure could feel overwhelming and lead you to shy away from getting treatment.
However, there are other treatment options available to help relieve your pain without having to go under the knife. One of these options is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP therapy is a non-surgical procedure that we perform at Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists to promote healing and pain relief. Everyone should have access to an effective alternative to invasive surgery, so we've outlined everything you need to know about PRP therapy.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets and plasma that can be derived from your own blood. Your blood contains many healing factors, like white blood cells and bioactive proteins, called growth factors and stem cell markers. These cells are vital for tissue regeneration and repair. Platelets are cells that play an important role in the clotting process and act as a reservoir filled with these growth factors and healing components. The high concentration of platelets and growth factors in PRP help to promote healing by stimulating cell growth and regeneration, as well as helping to reduce inflammation and pain.
During a PRP treatment, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and placed into a centrifuge. This spinning process separates the red blood cells from the plasma and platelets. Once the desired amount of PRP has been collected, it is injected directly into the area of injury or pain. Once inside the injection site, PRP can help the body heal itself by jumpstarting the repair process. PRP therapy, which is also referred to as platelet-rich plasma injections, is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in 30 minutes while under a local anesthetic.
How Can PRP Injections Help?
PRP treatment has shown to be effective in treating a variety of muscle injuries and health conditions, such as sports injuries like tennis elbow, soft tissue injuries like tendonitis, ligament sprains, and tears, as well as degenerative joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Some of the benefits that patients love about PRP therapy include:
- Reduced pain and inflammation - PRP injections can reduce pain and inflammation by stimulating the healing process to eliminate these symptoms.
- Accelerated healing time - PRP therapy can improve healing by speeding up the body's natural healing process.
- Improved range of motion - By reducing pain and inflammation, PRP injections help to improve the function and range of motion of the affected joints.
- Decreased risk of future injuries - Because PRP therapy can help improve joint function, patients may be less likely to experience future injuries.
PRP therapy is a promising treatment option for patients seeking an alternative to surgery. Not only does PRP therapy offer a minimally invasive option, but it also provides patients with fewer side effects when compared to steroid injections or surgery. PRP works to promote healing by using the body's natural healing mechanisms, making it a safe and effective treatment option.
If you're struggling with joint pain or injuries, don't wait to seek treatment. Platelet-rich plasma therapy may be the treatment that finally rids you of your pain. At Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists, our team is proud to offer PRP therapy to our patients, allowing them to access an effective alternative to invasive surgery. Contact us today if you are interested in receiving this cutting-edge procedure to live pain-free.
Our Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement Specialists specialize in a wide range of services, including PRP injections, physical therapy, joint replacement surgery, and much more. Schedule an appointment online with us today and get back to the things you love!
