Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) And Knee Pain
Platelet-rich plasma injections are a cutting-edge treatment that enhances natural joint healing with platelets gathered from your own body. From shoulder, spine, ankle and knee injuries to chronic pain, this therapy can help you to find faster recovery without surgery.
Today, let’s look at what platelet-rich plasma is, how it’s gathered, and how it can help you to find relief from knee pain, in particular.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is gathered from your own blood. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, composed of protein, water, and thrombocytes that aid in blood clotting and healing. The process of forming PRP separates your powerful platelets from red blood cells and concentrates them into an injection for healing.
When made into an injection, PRP (platelet-rich-plasma) can be used to alleviate joint and muscle pain, sprains, strains, and conditions like osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even alopecia.
The process is very similar to stem cell therapy derived from bone marrow in which a specialist collects a sample of your blood and places it in a centrifuge. It is spun at high speed, allowing the plasma to separate from the red blood cells. The plasma layer is then carefully extracted into a syringe to inject into the injured or painful area.
The platelets release growth factors into the muscle, joints and other target tissue, encouraging cell repair and renewal. In essence, PRP injections trigger and encourage the body’s natural processes of healing, which is why this treatment falls under the category of regenerative medicine.
PRP injections are a great choice for those looking for minimally-invasive recovery from the damaging effects of chronic inflammation and arthritis.
Since plasma is gathered from your own body, there is virtually no risk of infection or allergic reaction.
Of course, anything can happen but generally autologous (self-to-self) are safe. Following the short, in-office procedure, many patients experience a significant reduction in pain within six to twelve weeks with long-lasting results.
If you believe that replacing your painful joints with metal and plastic is the only answer for your pain, then PRP may not be for you. If you are looking for a more natural way to promote healing, recovery, and pain relief you should consider this as an option.
How Can This Help With Knee Pain?
Knee pain can result from many different catalysts, from arthritis to overuse injuries and basic genetic conditions. This pain may be light and no more than a simple annoyance, but in several situations, your knee pain may be chronic, severe, and affect your day-to-day routine.
A lot of knee pain is simply biomechanical from fascial lines that are too tight in one area and dysfunctional in another. Physical therapy can help dramatically with most knee pain.
But if the source of pain is truly biological and in the cartilage or muscle or tendon tissue itself, PRP can be an option.
Rather than letting knee pain keep you from an active lifestyle or hobbies you enjoy, you can find relief with platelet-rich plasma! Professional athletes, like Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal, have all chosen PRP therapy to help speed up healing and get back to their sports following injury.
When injected into the targets of the knee, your own PRP will help to repair any damage within your tendons, ligaments, and tissues. You may experience some slight sensitivity at the injection site, but this is typically short-lived.
After your procedure, it is advisable to avoid overly strenuous activity to allow for optimal healing. PRP simply provides needed cytokines, proteins and healing cofactors to empower your body to heal itself faster and better. The concentrated platelets release many substances that are designed to repair tissues.
At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness, we utilize PRP injections in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues to help patients find more natural relief from chronic pain. We can explain the science of PRP to you and answer your questions.
We understand this may not be for everyone and it may not be indicated in all cases, but we feel you should be allowed to consider this powerful therapy as an option.
Learn more about how you can find relief from knee pain with PRP injections with the recap from our November Seminar:
PRP Therapy At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness, we can help you find relief from knee pain. Our doctors work with you to devise a treatment plan that is customized to your needs and skill set to help you get back to doing what you love.
From physical therapy to PRP injections, you can find a solution for you that doesn’t require surgery and extended downtime.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation! We’re ready to help you find relief and recovery to return to a healthy lifestyle, pain-free.
