Natural Injections to Heal Damage and Reduce Inflammation

Platelet-rich plasma (abbreviated PRP) is a treatment used for a variety of common orthopedic conditions. PRP is a concentration of platelet cells taken from your blood, and these platelets have growth factors that may help in the healing process of chronic injuries. Growth factors are chemicals that signal the body to initiate a healing response. By injecting PRP into areas of an injury, the hope is to stimulate and optimize your body's ability to heal chronic conditions. PRP contains a high concentration of platelets, other blood cells important in healing, and growth factors.

Uses

PRP has been used in operating rooms for several decades to help with wound healing, and to stimulate bone formation in spinal fusion therapy. Recently, PRP has been used in outpatient settings for the treatment of common overuse conditions including:

·       Achilles Tendonitis

·       Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

·       Tennis Elbow

·       Patellar Tendonitis

Procedure

The procedure takes about 30 minutes in order to withdraw the blood, spin the blood in the centrifuge, and inject the PRP into the injured area.

How PRP Is Obtained

PRP is obtained from the patient who is being treated. Blood is withdrawn from a vein in the patient's arm and the blood is placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins at a high speed to separate the different types of blood cells. The physician extracts the platelet-rich portion of the blood and injects this into the area of injury. There is not just platelets in the concentrated layer of the "spun" blood, but also other important growth factors, plasma, and some red blood cells.

Are The Injections Painful?

There is some discomfort associated with both requiring the blood to inject, and for the actual injection itself. Both parts of the procedure involve placing a needle through the skin. There are anesthetics that can be given to help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with placing a needle into the skin. The relief found from a PRP injection is not immediate, often like people experience with a cortisone injection.

Side Effects

Side effects are uncommon, but they are possible. Whenever a needle is inserted through the skin, an infection can occur. The other more common side effect of PRP injections is an increase in inflammation and pain after the injection.

PRP injections are not recommended in individuals with bleeding disorders, those taking anti-coagulation medications (e.g. Warfarin), or those who have cancer, active infections, or are pregnant.

Corticosteroid joint injections

Steroid (also known as a corticosteroid) joint injections work by reducing inflammation, which is the cause of swelling and pain. The steroid medicine is injected directly into the affected joint. These may be used on their own or alongside PRP injections.