PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections are a regenerative form of medicine and they can help with the process of healing tissues. However, PRP therapy can be confusing if you’ve never heard about the procedure before.
To help you understand how this therapy could benefit you, here is what you need to know.
What Are Platelets and Plasma?
Platelets are the blood cells that are responsible for blood clots and healing functions, and plasma is the liquid portion of blood which is primarily composed of proteins and water. Plasma is responsible for helping to circulate platelets and white blood cells throughout the body.
Together, these two components are essential to the body’s natural healing processes, and because of this, they are perfect for helping to boost healing in injured areas.
What Does This Mean For PRP Therapy?
In PRP therapy, a patient is injected with their own platelets to help accelerate their body’s healing process. Injections are commonly performed on joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that have been injured. By injecting platelet-rich plasma into these areas, the natural healing process is improved, making recovery quicker and easier.
PRP injections are formulated by taking blood from a patient and separating it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. Once separated, they are injected into the designated area to aid in the regeneration process.
Along with helping to improve healing, PRP therapy has also been shown to reduce pain in patients with chronic tendonitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow. Because of this, it can help reduce dependence on anti-inflammatory medications, or stronger pain relievers like opioids.
Additionally, PRP therapy also has fewer side effects since the injections are formulated using platelets from the patient’s own body. This means that they won’t be attacked or rejected as a foreign substance.
Is PRP Therapy Right For You?
If you are struggling with an injured joint, tendon, ligament, or muscle, it may be worth speaking to your provider about PRP therapy. Although this therapy may not be right for everyone, in the patients that are good candidates for it, the benefits can be substantial.
Speak to your provider during your next visit to learn more about this procedure and to find out if PRP therapy is the right option for you.