Injuries That PRP Injections Can Treat

Injuries, regardless of what they are or how severe they are, can hamper the ability to live your normal life. Whether you are very active or simply used to a certain routine, injuries can (and often do) change everything. So wouldn’t it be nice to be able to recover from these injuries more quickly and to get back into that routine? That is where PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections come into play. Below are types of injuries we can help treat with PRP injections, thus reducing the burden you may have due to injury.

PRP Injections

Platelet-Rich Plasma injections are a non-surgical treatment that is an effective approach to managing a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders by promoting the body’s natural healing process. The treatment consists of a series of injections (often as few as 2) that contain plasma, platelets, growth factors and cytokines. These are derived from your own blood, which makes the treatment particularly safe — potential side effects are limited because you really are not introducing a foreign substance into your body. Prior to beginning treatment, blood is drawn and then separated out into the parts needed before being treated to make the Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy mixture, each ingredient is chosen for its contribution to healing and regenerative properties. Then, the PRP injection will be delivered directly to the site of the injury in question so that the concoction can go to work directly. Think of it as an extremely concentrated (more effective and quicker) version of the way your body would heal an injury itself if left to its own devices. You are just giving yourself a biological boost and the results are generally long lasting (provided patients follow all the instructions of their health practitioner prior to and after treatment). The treatment’s safety, efficiency, and convenience are probably a large part of why the treatment is so popular with famous athletes like Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant.  

Ligament and Tendon Injuries

Injuries to ligaments and tendons are some of the most common injuries individuals have, whether you are an athlete or not. The usual healing process for these types of injuries – depending on severity – is surgery. Unfortunately, while surgery can be effective, it leaves the potential for issues down the road. In addition to burdensome recovery time and the risk factors associated, some people are not good candidates for surgery because of the necessary anesthesia. Furthermore, scar tissues can form, which can lead to even more injuries. Platelet-Rich Plasma injections have been shown to significantly increase healing in tendon and ligament injuries safely, while at the same time reducing further risk factors for the injury.  

Osteoarthritis

If you have had a previous knee injury, or just have arthritis in that knee such as osteoarthritis, PRP can be a good alternative to traditional treatment. With arthritis in the knee, PRP injections are injected into the affected joint. The PRP injections can slow down the progression of arthritis, reduce pain, help new cartilage form and potentially help production of fluid in the joint for lubrication. PRP injections seem to be especially promising for athletes suffering from knee injuries, with research showing that they help in the treatment of jumper’s knee, even after other treatment options have failed the patients.  

Fractures

Stress fractures can seem to many to be just a nuisance. Take some ibuprofen, lessen the activity and it will get better, right? Well, sort of. If you have been diagnosed with stress fractures – especially in your lower body – rest is the key. However, exercise in a pool is a good way to keep yourself in shape. PRP can aide in these injuries as well. Injecting PRP around the bone where the stress fracture has occurred can cut downtime for those of us that are active by almost half. If you are on your feet a lot or like to be active, PRP is a great way to cut your down time.  

Muscle Injuries

Commonly, muscle injuries have been treated with rest, medications to reduce inflammation, ice, etc. These treatments help the muscles regenerate and heal. With PRP, the healing process can be faster. The concentration of platelets can allow the healing process to progress a quicker rate. During the healing process for muscle tissue, platelets arrive on the scene to being working. Because PRP introduces a concentration of platelets, more platelets are on the scene producing more work. Professional athletes have started using PRP to try and recover from muscle injuries quicker. If you suffer from pain because of any kind of injuries, be sure to give us a call today. In addition to the injuries outlined in this article, we offer numerous other treatment options and our team of specialists from various disciplines will work together to come up with a comprehensive plan that is specific to your pain, your injury and your goals for recovery.