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Persistent pain and decreased function can feel like a lifelong sentence. A growing number of people are finding relief and renewed quality of life through advanced, non-surgical outpatient treatments and regenerative medicine as we all provide, at the Interventional Pain & Wellness Center.
Platelet-Rich Plasma, also called PRP, therapy, takes advantage of our body’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscle or even organs. It has emerged as a noteworthy innovative therapy using a patient’s own blood components to accelerate healing and reduce pain. Research suggests that injecting areas of inflammation or tissue damage with high concentrations of platelets can encourage new tissue growth and promote overall cellular healing.
A study published in 2023 by the National Institute of Health (NIH) supports this therapy stating “PRP therapy as a treatment modality has been around for the last four decades, but only truly gained popularity over the last 10 to 15 years in medicine, in a variety of fields ranging from regenerative medicine to infertility treatment.”
“There is level I evidence available supporting its efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), epicondylitis, bursitis, compressive neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, muscular injuries and osteochondral lesions.”
This NIH study emphasized the positive results of PRP research on painful conditions and or injuries, including knee, shoulder, elbow, and foot and ankle pains, lateral epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as spinal and hand conditions. (Jacques Pretorius, et. Al. PMCID: PMC10652151 PMID: 38021947)
PRP is derived from a patient’s blood through a process of concentrating platelets and growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue repair. The concentrated PRP is then injected into the affected area, aiming to enhance the body’s natural healing processes.
What is plasma? Plasma refers to the liquid part of blood; it is the medium for red and white blood cells and other material traveling in the blood stream. Plasma is mostly fluid that holds proteins, nutrients, glucose, and antibodies, among other components.
What are platelets? Like red and white blood cells, platelets are a normal part of blood. Platelets secrete substances called growth factors and other proteins that regulate cell division, stimulate tissue regeneration, and promote healing.
As an example tp osteoarthritis; we use PRP therapy to treat conditions that the platelet-rich plasma:
• Inhibits inflammation and slow down the progression of osteoarthritis
• Stimulates the formation of new cartilage
• Increases the production of natural lubricating fluid in the joint, thereby easing painful joint friction
• Contain proteins that alter a patient’s pain receptors and reduce pain sensation
Platelet-rich plasma injections are outpatient procedures. Because the patient’s blood must be drawn and prepared for injection, a typical procedure may take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.
Whether the patient has a one-time injection, or a series of injections spaced over weeks or months depends on the individual patient’s condition.
Examples of Clinical Applications
and Efficacy
Osteoarthritis: PRP injections may help alleviate pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis by modulating the joint environment and reducing inflammation.
(Https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org)
Tendon Injuries: PRP has shown promise in treating tendon-related issues, such as tennis elbow and Achilles tendinopathy, by promoting healing and reducing pain. (https://www.ctinsider.com)
Back Pain: Research shows that PRP therapy can provide longer-lasting benefits compared to steroid injections for certain back pain conditions, offering a safer alternative with fewer side effects.
(Ohio State University / Wexner Medical Center)
Benefits of PRP Therapy
Reduced Pain and Inflammation: PRP effectively diminishes pain and inflammation, providing relief for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. (painmedicineconsultants.com)
Enhanced Healing: By delivering concentrated growth factors directly to the injury site, PRP accelerates tissue repair and regeneration. (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Improved Function: Patients often experience improved mobility and function following PRP treatment, contributing to a better quality of life. (Baylor Scott & White Health)
This therapy is also used to help treat pain from the neck and low back. This can be used to treat disk pain and/or arthritic pain from the entire spine.
PRP is most often used for people who: have pain with everyday activities
are still experiencing pain after conservative measures such as stretching and strengthening self-directed exercises, medications, or physical therapy failed have previously had short-lived relief with steroid injections
PRP therapy is among the most exciting treatment options from the common musculoskeletal injuries that affect everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors, to maturing adults.
When treating osteoarthritis with platelet-rich plasma as prepared in our office setting, we inject PRP directly into the affected joint under direct guidance.
The goal is to:
• Reduce pain
• Improve joint function
• Slow, halt and even repair damage to cartilage
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Require Precision
• An experienced physician, like our physicians Dr. Ozaktay, Dr. Cohen and Dr. Tripathi can perform these injections. The use of imaging technology (e.g., fluoroscopic guidance) ensures a precise injection.
• Precision is important because, like visco supplementation treatments, platelet-rich plasma injections must be made directly into the joint capsule.
Our doctors consider PRP therapy safe because it uses a person’s own blood, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or immune responses. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential side effects. These are typically mild and temporary but can vary depending on the treatment site and individual factors. Possible side effects may include -but not limited to- mild pain or discomfort and minor bruising at the injection site.
Our doctors explain that, while “the steroids may not treat the root cause of pain, or even frequent use of steroids may interfere with your body’s natural healing process – in contrast – PRP works by intentionally triggering inflammation to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and promote tissue repair for long-term results.”
When appropriate, PRP injections are an extremely safe and effective way to help treat the pain of so many diverse types of individuals. We have used this technique on young athletes and for older patients with joint and or spine pain with remarkable success. It even surprises us sometimes how well this treatment works. It is utterly amazing how people with acute or chronic pain, or injuries respond to this treatment.
Our Interventional Pain & Wellness Office is a beautiful freestanding interventional pain management building in Delray Beach, FL.
We have been performing this procedure with enormous success. Every patient is evaluated by the physician himself, and a comprehensive treatment plan is always made. Please look forward to more articles about the vast number of procedures we offer to help people with all types of pain. Our main focus is to help individuals avoid surgery, eliminate pain medications and to ultimately feel much better daily and enjoy life!
CALL | +1 (954) 633-2397
www.ipwcbroward.com
13722 S Jog Road, Suite A
Delray Beach, FL 33446
