One of the most promising therapies in the orthopedic field is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This innovative therapy method is used to treat a variety of conditions such as ACL tears, plantar fasciitis, sprains and strains in various parts of the body, as well as pain and stiffness associated with orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis.
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy involves using a patient’s own blood to treat an injury or condition. Blood is made up of red cells, white cells, and platelets. Each of these components is vital for the body to function, and platelets have special capabilities that are harnessed in PRP therapy.
Platelets have a growth factor that helps with the body’s healing process. During PRP therapy, a doctor draws some of the patient’s blood and then uses a device called a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood content.
Once the concentrated platelets are separated, they are injected back into the patient’s body in the spot where the therapy is needed. For example, if a person suffers from tennis elbow, the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the elbow. PRP therapy can help heal injuries and conditions that affect the tendons, muscles, bones, ligaments, and cartilage.
PRP therapy takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, and it can be repeated every four to six weeks as necessary. Your doctor will determine how many injections your issue requires and how often you should receive PRP therapy to help ensure optimum results.
How Does PRP Therapy Work?
Platelets aid the body in the healing process by encouraging the body to heal itself. PRP therapy introduces a concentration of platelets into the desired area to help the injury heal properly and quickly – so the body works harder to heal the injury than it otherwise would.
PRP therapy works for a variety of health issues because its fundamental job is to help promote healing regardless of what type of issue caused the injury – or even how the old the injury is. Whether the injury was caused by a car accident, a sports accident, a surgery, or simply having a bad twist or fall, PRP therapy can help heal it.
One of the revolutionary factors about PRP therapy is how effective it is in treating old injuries just as well as it treats new injuries. For example, if you have suffered from chronic pain in your joints caused by osteoarthritis for several years, PRP therapy can help reduce the pain and stiffness you’ve been experiencing.
What Are the Benefits of PRP Therapy?
There are many reasons why PRP therapy is a great treatment method for a variety of orthopedic conditions. A simple injection is used to draw the blood used for PRP therapy and to reinsert the platelet-rich plasma into the desired area. No anesthesia is used at all; the patient remains awake during the entire procedure.
There is also therefore no incision made in PRP therapy, making it a minimally invasive yet highly effective procedure. Additionally, because it’s minimally invasive, there is far less healing time required after the therapy, and there are no unwanted scars. Because there is essentially no external wound that needs to heal or be stitched, there are fewer complications and risks such as infections.
Finally, because PRP therapy involves using the patient’s own blood to perform the therapy, there is less risk of complications. The patient’s body will not reject the platelets that are inserted, because they are indeed from the person’s own body.
Contact an Orthopedic Surgeon Today About PRP Therapy
PRP therapy is an effective tool that can help treat a variety of injuries and conditions, from car accident injuries to arthritis. If you suffer from an orthopedic condition and are seeking treatment options, the experts at Total Orthopaedic Care would be happy to serve you.
Make an appointment today to discuss your condition and the treatment options available to you. Our doctors employ a variety of treatment options, including PRP therapy, to customize an effective treatment plan for you.
Call us today at (954) 735-3535 or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We have convenient locations in Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes, and we even offer same-day appointments. We look forward to helping you start feeling great again.
