Do you suffer from chronic ailments such as arthritis, back pain, neck pain or have even suffered a recent injury? The latest breakthrough of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment can help you in a fast recovery towards a pain free and active lifestyle. Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries.
PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets -- and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors -- can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual. This can stimulate faster healing of the body, repairing damage from chronic or acute injury.
HOW DOES PRP WORK?
Laboratory studies have shown that the increases concentration of growth factors in PRP can potentially speed up the healing process. To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from a patient. The platelets are separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased during a process called centrifugation, Then the increased concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood.
To speed healing, the injury site is treated with the PRP preparation. This can be done in one of two ways:
- PRP can be carefully injected into the injured area. For example, in Achilles tendonitis, a condition commonly seen in runners and tennis players, the heel cord can become swollen, inflamed, and painful. A mixture of PRP and local anesthetic can be injected directlyinto this inflamed tissue. This can over time reduce the inflammation and promote healing of the tendon. After several weeks the patient feels a beneficial effect.
- PRP may also be used to improve healing after surgery for some injuries
- PRP may be used to hinder the progression of arthritis in joints including the hips, knees and shoulders.
What Conditions are Treated with PRP?
- Chronic Tendon Injuries:
According to the research studies currently reported, PRP is most effective in the treatment of chronic tendon injuries, including rotator cuff problems and especially tennis elbow, a very common injury of the tendons not he outside of the elbow.
- Chronic Joint Pain:
Much of the publicity PRP therapy has received has been about the treatment of acute sports injuries and chronic joint pain. PRP has been used to treat professional athletes with common injuries like pulled hamstrings, knee sprains, hip injuries, ankle sprains and shoulder problems.
- Disc/Spine Injuries:
One of the most exciting uses of PRP is on the treatment of spine related problems. Conditions like low back pain due to disc degeneration or neck pain due arthritic degeneration can be relieved. Many of these conditions are now being treated with a simple PRP injection avoiding more invasive surgical options.
- Cosmetic:
One of the newest used of PRP is in the area of cosmetics. This includes PRP for wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation and scar reduction. This is now one of the fastest growing uses of PRP because of its natural origins and rapid ability to improve skin tone and texture, All without fillers or dangerous chemicals.
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