If climbing stairs or running after your dog scares you because of underlying knee pain, you should be evaluated for arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by swelling and tenderness in one or more joints. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, both of which worsen with age.
It is usually caused by high-impact sports and repetitive movements such as gymnastics or running and can also occur with aging. Typically, nonsurgical therapies, drugs, and surgery are used to treat knee arthritis.
However, knees can now be treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections, which results in a reduction in pain and stiffness, as well as an improvement in knee function after 6 weeks and 3 months of treatment.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, also called PRP Therapy, use a patient’s blood that is spun into concentrated plasma which could help reverse existing tissue damage. PRP treatments all over the world are proving to be effective treatments that don’t require surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Work?
PRP Therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing process while also bringing healing to parts of the body that would not usually experience it. Because of the restricted blood flow to your body’s joints, tendons, and ligaments, it is frequently very challenging for these tissues to repair on their own. By promoting the growth and regeneration/healing of new, healthy cells, injecting one’s own PRP directly into the injury site has therapeutic effects.
How to Prepare for Your PRP Treatment
Before going for the PRP treatment, it is important to take all the necessary precautions:
- Stop using painkillers at least five days before your procedure.
- Stop using any blood-thinning medications or herbal supplements a week before your operation.
- Stop using systemic steroids one to two weeks before your operation.
- Stop using steroid injections at least a month before your operation.
- Eat a substantial, healthy breakfast the morning of your procedure, and make sure to drink lots of water
Note: Stop any medications or injections only after consulting your doctor.
You should adhere to the aftercare instructions for lasting benefits and a pain-free life once the PRP treatment has been completed.
Aftercare of Your PRP Treatment
- For the first 72 hours following the treatment, avoid applying ice or heat to the injection site.
- For the first several days following surgery, refrain from taking a hot bath.
- Drinking alcohol is prohibited for two days following surgery.
- For the first 24 hours after your surgery, avoid taking a bath.
- Avoid smoking
Other Treatment for Arthritis Involves
Non-Surgical Therapy
- Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and cutting back on high-impact activities that hurt your knees.
- Improving your strength, flexibility, and range of motion with exercise.
- Aids for support like canes, knee braces, and padded shoes.
Drug Rehabilitation
- Strong anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids can be injected directly into the joint.
- Arthritis can occasionally be treated with a gold salt injection.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery on your arthritic knee should only be considered as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.
- Fiber optics is used during arthroscopic surgery so the doctor can see within the joint and remove any debris or repair damaged cartilage.
- To improve the alignment of the knee joint, an osteotomy is done, which refers to the cutting of the thigh or shin bone.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment is the modern and minimally invasive solution for the problem of Arthritis! To book a consultation appointment, please contact Innovative Pain Solutions.
