15 Jul 2024
Platelet-rich plasma is a sort of regenerative medicine that utilizes injections of your own blood platelets to assist healing. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet accepted this treatment. Nevertheless, a lot of specialists are offering it in the U.S. nowadays.
Injections of PRP are a novel treatment method that is used by many to manage pain arising due to osteoarthritis of the knee. In the coming years, PRP will become an even more effective option for knee treatment.
If you are willing to get this treatment, you can search “PRP knee treatment near me,” and you will get a bunch of options right at your fingertips. However, we strongly urge you to conduct your research and get your treatment done by an expert.
Want to learn more about this method? Then read on. Below, we have delved a bit deeper into what PRP injection for knee is and how it is a great option for osteoarthritis.
Platelet-rich plasma contains two major elements, i.e.
Platelets are known due to their clotting abilities, but they also consist of growth factors that can stimulate tissue regeneration and cell reproduction. These cells also heal the treated area. Basically, PRP is blood that consists of more platelets than normal.
In order to create PRP, clinicians take a blood sample from the patient and put it into a device known as a centrifuge. This device rapidly spins the sample. As a result, it separates the other components of the blood from the platelets, which are concentrated within the plasma.
After the PRP is created from the patient’s blood sample, medical experts inject this solution into the target site, e.g., tendon or knee. Most of the time, they might even use ultrasound to guide the injection. The key is to enhance the concentration of certain hormones or proteins, known as growth factors. When these growth factors increase in a specific site, the healing process accelerates.
The entire mechanism behind PRP injection for knee arthritis still needs to be comprehended. Many studies show that the enhanced concentration of the growth factors in PRP might speed up or stimulate the healing process. This, in turn, decreases pain, encourages hair growth, and shortens the healing time for the injured area.
Although it might seem daunting, the PRP process is only a three-step procedure. We have discussed these steps below to help you understand them more clearly.
A medical expert will draw a blood sample from your arm and put it into a centrifuge to segregate the components. This will obtain a concentrated suspension of platelets within the plasma.
Next, these skilled professionals will numb your knee and administer the plasma injection in knee joint. At this step, they might even use ultrasound to guide the injection.
After a short time, you will be perfectly able to go home, leaving all the pain behind. However, it would be best if you ask someone to drive you home. Many patients might experience some stiffness and pain right after the injection.
Speaking of pain, a lot of people stress over it. Taking out the blood is only slightly painful, with a sharp and rapid pinching sensation. Many patients report that they feel dizzy while their blood is drawn. The injection might hurt a bit. But it depends on the precise area or how sensitive your joint is. Deep breathing and relaxing help you alleviate the pain. The good part is that it won’t take an expert more than a minute or two to inject. However, the site of injection might be a bit tender afterward, but it won’t be painful.
And with that, the difficult part is over. Now, to help your injected site heal faster, your doctor might advise you to:
If you notice any unusual pain or swelling, you must immediately contact your doctor. Medical professionals at Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen are always happy to help you with any queries.
Also Read: What is Non-Surgical Orthopedics?
PRP injections are effective against a wide range of conditions, from cosmetic procedures to musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Let’s examine the various benefits of this treatment.
PRP injections are responsible for treating various musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. For instance, chronic injuries in tendons, including jumper’s knee or tennis elbow, might take much time to heal. However, PRP treatment has proved to be pivotal in stimulating the healing process, enabling the patient to return to activities and decrease the pain sooner.
Medical experts first utilized PRP to boost the healing process right after plastic or jaw surgeries. Nowadays, post-surgical PRP injections have become widely used to help heal elbow ligaments, tendons, and muscles. We all know that such tissues have reputedly long recovery times. Platelet-rich plasma helps them heal way faster than they could heal naturally.
Plasma injection for knee treatment helps to manage osteoarthritis by using blood drawn by the patient. The growth proteins and growth factors in PRP can help stimulate cartilage production, promote tissue healing, and reduce inflammation. This procedure elevates the natural healing mechanisms, potentially leading to improved joint function and pain relief. PRP therapy provides a minimally invasive option to more aggressive treatments. Needless to say, it comes with a shorter recovery period and fewer side effects. It is a widely chosen method for patients who are willing to get relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
You can now get help with your hair loss by using your own blood to promote hair growth. Fascinating, right? All you need to do is opt for a genuine professional. The medical experts at Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen are highly skilled due to their years of experience. They draw an ignorable amount of blood and centrifuge it to concentrate platelets. After the platelets are separated, these professionals inject them into the scalp. The proteins and growth factors present will trigger the hair follicles, promote cell growth, increase blood supply to hair roots, and stimulate tissue repair. This can lead to you having stronger and much thicker hair. Ultimately, it reduces hair thinning.
Often, PRP injections are used as an effective anti-aging procedure. However, there is little to no evidence that concludes that PRP helps reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles. Platelet-rich plasma therapy rejuvenates the skin by harnessing the naturally occurring healing properties of the blood. The concentrated platelets are applied topically or injected with micro-needling. Consequently, it triggers collagen production and combats fine lines and wrinkles.
There are many benefits to PRP. For instance, it improves skin texture, elasticity, and tone and boosts tissue repair and cell regeneration. All of this eventually leads to a more radiant and youthful glow. This technique uses one’s own bodily resources to get natural-looking results. No wonder it is becoming a highly sought-after choice for those seeking skin rejuvenation.
PRP injections normally do not cause any major side effects, as they are extremely low-risk techniques. However, since it requires to draw your blood, you need to make sure that you have eaten properly beforehand and stay hydrated. By doing so, you can easily steer clear of feeling lightheaded. After the treatment, you might experience some bruising or soreness at the site of injection.
As we have established, these injections are made by using one’s own plasma and cells. Thus, the risks of having an allergic reaction are very low. Comparatively, other injectable medications, such as corticosteroids, have higher risks of an allergic reaction than PRP. Still, a handful of patients, after getting PRP treatment for knee, experience symptoms such as
If you are planning to get PRP injections, we suggest you discuss your condition with a healthcare expert. At Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen, you will find many PRP specialists who are aware of all the risks and benefits. So, contact them right now and say hello to a journey of getting pain-free joints.
It might be confusing for the already suffering patients to study and differentiate between platelet-rich plasma and protein-rich plasma. Both of these terms are more or less the same. Plasma and blood platelets are high in proteins. These proteins might be growth factors or any other component that can support and enhance healing. So, if you also need clarification on the definitions of these terms – they both embrace the exact same connotation.
Plasma treatment for knees helps to improve the painful symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. People often suggest that this treatment is more effective in contrast to hyaluronic acid, placebos, and steroids.
This therapy has given remarkable results for patients suffering from primarily Grade 2 or even Grade 1 knee pain. More than 80 percent of the patients showed significant improvement in the overall function of their knees after undergoing PRP treatment. Needless to say, the pain also left no trace.
There is no common consent among the researchers as to how long the effects of plasma replacement therapy for knees can last. Some suggest that the results can last for up to 12 months after getting the injections. At the same time, others debate that the benefits vanish in thin air after 24 months.
The PRP boosts and accelerates healing. So, it allows your body to restore severe amounts of damage that it might not be able to cover otherwise. According to research, PRP can actually help you regenerate cartilage that is degraded by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Plasma-rich platelet – PRP treatment for knee is an effective therapy. It is especially promising for the ones who are dealing with severe tissue damage, skin issues, hair loss, and other conditions. However, as we mentioned above, there are some ongoing controversies related to this treatment. As of now, there is no convincing evidence to prove the standardization or effectiveness of PRP. But, since it is a completely safe and minimally invasive procedure, there is technically no harm in getting it done. You can opt for Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen Treatment to get your PRP if you wish to get instant pain relief. There is one thing that you need to be aware of. PRP injections are not covered by medical insurance. Consequently, it might become expensive for people who need to get it done repeatedly.
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