Platelet-rich plasma therapy, sometimes called Plasma Treatment or PRP Therapy takes the blood’s natural healing power to repair damaged tendons, ligaments, cartilage and muscles.
There has been an increase in using PRP injections to treat orthopaedic conditions including osteoarthritis. Most commonly, PRP Therapy is used in Knee and Hip osteoarthritis but is also used in other joints such as knuckles, wrists etc.
To treat arthritis with platelet-rich plasma, the doctor will inject the PRP derived from the patient’s own blood directly into the joint to ultimately achieve:
- A reduction in pain
- Improvement in joint function
- Slow, halt and even repair damage to the cartilage
These injections contain plasma that has a higher concentration of growth platelets that is found in normal blood.
What is plasma? – It is the liquid part of your blood that allows red and white blood cells to travel in the bloodstream. Plasma is mostly made up of collagen as well as proteins, glucose, antibodies and nutrients.
What are platelets? – Platelets are found in your blood. On their own, they have no healing properties but instead produce growth factors that are in charge of dividing cells, stimulating tissue regeneration and promoting healing. Platelets are also responsible for your blood clotting.
Advantages of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy For The Treatment of Osteoarthritis
If you are suffering from arthritis here are several reasons why you should consider PRP injections:
- PRP is made from your own body, it is natural and carries few risks
- You have probably taken anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin for the pain but long term use can cause stomach problems, affect blood pressure and cause heart problems.
- Other treatments on the market for mild to moderate osteoarthritis can be unreliable and have side effects.
- Whilst weight loss and physical therapy can improve the conditions, it does not always eliminate the symptoms.
- Although cortisone injections have been proven to reduce pain, having repeated injections are known to weaken the tendons and ligaments and may have damaging effects on healthy cartilage.
- Minor surgeries such as arthroscopic debridement have unreliable and mixed results and could be no better than a placebo.
- Major surgeries such as joint replacements should be seen as a last result and in very severe cases of arthritis.
Results - PRP Treatments for Arthritis
Platelet-Rich Plasma alleviates many osteoarthritis symptoms such as:
- Stimulate the growth of new cartilage
- Slow down progression or the condition
- Inhibit inflammation and reduce the pain sensation
- Reduce painful joint friction by increasing lubricating fluid
If you would like to find out more about PRP Injections for treating Arthritis feel free to contact Blend Clinic. We are happy to answer all of your questions and to see if PRP is the right treatment for you.
