Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, it’s a nightmare to be sidelined by an injury. If you’re suffering chronic joint, muscle, or tendon pain from an orthopedic condition or injury, perhaps platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment would be the right option for you — it’s minimally invasive, safe, quick, and highly effective.
Read more to find out about PRP treatment and why it’s effective for sports injuries.
What Is PRP Treatment?
PRP treatment is done by drawing a small amount of a patient’s blood, then separating and concentrating the platelets in a process called centrifugation. Aside from platelets, PRP also contains growth factors, a critical component in activating the body’s natural healing process.
These platelets are then injected in a carefully chosen area near the injured site to accelerate the healing process and decrease pain. Your physician will use an ultrasound or fluoroscopy to track or guide the plasma towards the targeted structure. Since the treatment uses a patient’s own tissues, PRP injections are safe to be administered on their own or in conjunction with other procedures.
PRP treatment can be used for a wide range of conditions, such as:
- Tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint injuries
- Postsurgical healing
- Osteoarthritis
What Sports Injuries Can Be Treated By PRP Treatment?
PRP treatment can be used for a spectrum of sports injuries that result in joint, tendon, and ligament pain. Soft tissue injuries are especially responsive to PRP treatment. Several factors might influence the effectiveness of the treatment, such as the location of the injury, the severity of the injury, and the patient’s overall health.
Among the common sports injuries that can be treated with PRP treatment are:
Tennis Elbow
PRP treatment is particularly known for being effective in treating tennis elbow. Not limited to tennis players, tennis elbow occurs when tendons in the forearm become inflamed, usually due to overuse and repetitive stress. These tendons receive little blood and are thus slow to heal — so PRP treatment eliminates pain and jumpstarts healing.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Any repetitive arm motions, such as throwing a baseball or shooting baskets, could possibly lead to rotator cuff injuries. Full rotator cuff tears usually require surgery, but partial tears and inflammation respond well to PRP treatment. Additionally, rotator cuff inflammation (tendonitis) can also be healed through PRP injections.
ACL Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries happen when the ACL is overused or suffers from an acute injury. Since it’s a key ligament in stabilizing the knee, it would be a problematic injury for athletes. Injecting PRP into the damaged ACL stimulates cell migration and the formation of new blood vessels, therefore intensifying the healing process. It also eliminates the need for getting knee surgery for some ACL injuries.
Plantar Fasciitis
Most common to runners, plantar fasciitis causes severe pain in the heels. If left unaddressed, it could even lead to bone spurs that might necessitate getting surgery. While PRP treatment can relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, it can also kick off the healing process, so that patients would retain the majority of their restored function.
What Are The Possible Risks And Side Effects?
PRP treatment is a low-risk procedure and does not usually cause any major side effects. Since it involves drawing blood, you need to make sure that you’re properly hydrated and have eaten before the procedure to avoid feeling lightheaded. Some soreness and bruising at the injection site may be expected after the procedure.
Because PRP injections are made up of your own cells and plasma, there’s little to no risk of an allergic reaction compared to other injectable medications. Some less common risks include:
- Bleeding
- Tissue damage
- Infection
- Nerve injuries
If you’re considering PRP injections and worried about the risks, don’t hesitate to discuss with your physician. They will surely be able to guide you through the process and inform you about the benefits and risks associated with the procedure.
PRP Treatment In Lauderdale Lakes And Pembroke Pines, FL
PRP treatment isn’t restricted to high-caliber professional athletes only. Weekend warriors and recreational enthusiasts can benefit greatly from this treatment, as well. While it can treat some common sports injuries, it is still best to consult with your sports medicine physician whether PRP treatment would be the right fit for you.
Whatever sports injury or condition you’re suffering from, you can trust our board-certified orthopedic surgeons here at Total Orthopaedic Care to do their utmost best to restore function to your damaged joint, tendon, ligament, or muscle, so you can return to your sport quickly.
If you’re experiencing joint, muscle, or tendon pain and considering PRP treatment, schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic surgeons today. Call us at (954) 735-3535 or fill out this online appointment request form.
