Gone are the days when traditional medicines and surgeries were the only means to cure or treat conditions. Regenerative medicine has made great strides in effectively treating health problems. In particular, a regenerative procedure called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has gained traction as an effective treatment in the healthcare field.
So, what is PRP therapy and how does it help with health conditions? Let’s find out.
The Science Behind PRP Therapy
PRP therapy involves extracting a sample of blood from a patient, isolating the platelet-rich plasma from it, and injecting it into the target area. Platelets are a component of the blood that contains growth factors. Platelets help with healing, cause blood clotting when you get a cut, and trigger cellular regeneration.
When PRP is injected in a high concentration through PRP therapy, the benefits of platelets are much higher than normal. PRP therapy relies on this benefit to treating injuries and conditions.
What To Expect
To prepare for a PRP injection, your doctor will withdraw your blood and place it in a centrifuge machine, which will spin the blood very fast. Through this, the PRP will separate from the rest of the blood’s content, making it easy to extract the PRP for injection purposes.
Your doctor will inject the PRP into the targeted area. If the injection is going into a delicate place, such as a joint, your doctor may use imaging technology to ensure the PRP is injected precisely into the correct area.
Doctors usually recommend PRP treatment as a stand-alone procedure, but they may use it with other therapies to bolster results.
Advantages And Benefits
Providers have been using PRP therapy for many medical and cosmetic purposes, including improving skin, and hair growth, and the repair of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Orthopedic providers may recommend PRP therapy to patients with damaged muscles, ligaments, and other tissues.PRP can also help heal bones and provide relief to patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may also suggest this treatment if you have a sports injury and want to avoid surgery.
Potential Risks And Side Effects
As a low-risk, micro-invasive procedure, PRP therapy carries little to no side effects. Since the blood sample is from your own body, the possibility of having an allergic reaction is practically impossible.
The primary risk of this procedure stems from the injection itself. If the manner of injection is improper or the positioning of the syringe is not accurate, there can be risks of:
- Wound infection
- Irritation and pain at the injection site
- Injury to the surrounding tissue, nerves, and adjacent blood vessels
Before getting PRP therapy, talk to your provider about the possible complications. You should also ask about the potential risks specific to your health profile.
Outlook And Recovery
Most patients are able to return to their normal routine immediately following PRP therapy. However, it is recommended that you take it easy for a couple of days following treatment. PRP therapy triggers inflammation in the area, which is an important step in the treatment. As such, you will benefit from resting and relaxing in the days immediately following the treatment.
If you experience pain during recovery, here are a few tips to follow:
- Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes every few hours
- Take over-the-counter pain medication
- Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) since they may block platelet aggregation
- Avoid doing tasks that burden or put weight on the treated area
PRP Therapy In Pembroke Pines & Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Learn about PRP therapy and how it can help you at Total Orthopaedic Care in Pembroke Pines. We offer compassionate, comprehensive, and patient-centered care for those seeking pain relief. We also have another convenient location in Lauderdale Lakes.
If you want to know more about our top-notch orthopedic care, call us at (954) 735-3535. You may also set up an appointment with a trusted orthopedic doctor by filling out our convenient online request form.
