Some injuries can cause a life-long effect. But the good news is your body can heal itself through Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy. It uses your platelets to help the healing of tissues such as tendons, muscles, and ligaments much faster. Therefore, it’s a very safe approach.

So, what are plasma and platelets? Plasma is the liquid component of whole blood and is mainly made up of water and proteins. Platelets or thrombocytes, on the other hand, are essential for a natural healing process.

How does Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy work?

PRP injections involve taking approximately one to a few tubes of blood, which is run through the centrifuge for a high platelet concentration. Afterward, the activated platelets are injected into your injured tissue.

Since the growth factors are released, it triggers the increase of reparative cell production. For accuracy, ultrasound imaging may be used to guide the injection. How about the number of injections you will need? Your doctor will establish that based on your injury.

Guidelines before and after PRP Therapy

Once you have decided on trying out this treatment, you need to consider guidelines for your PRP Therapy.

Before the Procedure:

• Stop using any anti-inflammatory medications at least five weeks before the procedure.
• Stop using blood-thinning medications, herbs, or supplements a week before the procedure.
• Stop using systemic steroids one to two weeks before the procedure.
• Stop having steroid injections at least a month before the procedure.
• On the day of the procedure, drink plenty of water and eat a big breakfast.

Stopping any medication suddenly may cause side effects. Discuss your medications with your doctor before stopping them before your platelet rich plasma therapy session.

After the Procedure

• After the procedure, you may feel some pain or discomfort at the injected site, but that shouldn’t worry you as it’s normal and is a sign of healing.
• Make sure that you’re keeping yourself hydrated.
• Don’t resume taking your medications immediately unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
• Avoid applying any icy or hot substances to the healing area for the next 72 hours after the procedure. This also includes hot baths or showers and saunas.
• Don’t drink any alcohol for the first two days after the procedure.

Conditions That Can Be Treated With Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

There is no doubt that this therapy improves your healing process, especially for musculoskeletal problems. It is ideal for improving your functionality and minimizing pain from:

• Shoulder pain resulting from rotator-cuff tears.
• Osteoarthritis of main joints like the shoulders, knees, and ankles.
• Torn meniscus injuries.
• Chronic knee pain from injuries or due to arthritis.
• Tendonitis or chronic tendonitis conditions like the golfers’ or tennis elbow.
• Carpal tunnel.
• Male pattern baldness.
• Muscle strain, especially for professional athletes.

Get started on your PRP Therapy At Innovative Pain Solutions.

At Innovative Pain Solutions, we strive to ensure that our patients get the best medical experience with cutting-edge treatments like Platelets Rich Plasma Therapy. Are you in Orlando, FL, and interested in PRP or stem cell therapy? Feel free to contact or visit our pain management specialists at Dr. Philip. For more information about our services, contact us or email at pain-solutions@hotmail.com. You could also fill a short form on our website to talk to one of our medical experts!