Your body has a natural ability to heal. Recently, doctors discovered a type of regenerative medical procedure called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy that enhances a body's ability to heal naturally. It amplifies the body's natural growth elements to heal tissues. Since this treatment uses your tissues, it is safe, natural, and effective. It can treat several conditions, including the healing of wounds in joints and trauma injuries. It can also promote cell growth after cosmetic surgeries. But, it is necessary to understand how this treatment works before experiencing it. Speak to an experienced clinician for more informed decision-making.
The Role of Plasma and Platelets in Your Body
Plasma, the liquid component of your blood, mainly comprises proteins and water. Plasma is the medium through which the red and white blood cells and the platelets circulate through your body.
Platelets or thrombocytes are part of the blood cells that cause your blood to clot. They also contain essential growth healing factors. Platelets play a significant role in the healing of your body.
For the body to heal naturally after an injury or surgical operation, it requires sufficient platelets, especially in the part of the body that needs healing. Doctors have discovered that plasma rich in platelets is the necessary solution to promote complete and adequate healing in various parts of the human body.
Platelet-rich plasma has two essential elements:
- Plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood
- Platelets which is the blood cell that promotes healing in your body.
Platelets are famous for their ability to clot. They also have growth elements that could trigger cell production and stimulate the regeneration of tissues and healing in a particular body part. Thus, plasma rich in platelets is the blood with more than usual platelets.
But our bodies only have plasma with just enough platelets. That is why doctors today are creating platelet-rich plasma to promote tissue growth and healing in areas where there is a need. To do that, your doctor will draw some blood samples from you and put them into a centrifuge. This device quickly spins the blood, separating platelets from the blood's other components, and concentrates the platelets in the plasma. The sample is then injected into the part of your body that requires healing or tissue regeneration.
The PRP Injection
When a doctor takes your blood sample and creates a plasma rich in platelets, they can inject that solution into the targeted area where you require tissue growth or healing. For instance, if you have an injured tendon or knee and want your body to heal naturally, you can opt for a PRP injection. Sometimes the doctor requires an ultrasound of the injured part to guide them to the exact place healing is needed. This treatment aims to promote specific types of hormones or bio proteins known as growth elements in the precise place where you need accelerated healing and tissue growth.
Most doctors do not understand the idea behind PRP treatment and its effectiveness. But doctors that have tried it say that increasing the concentration of growth elements in an injured part of the body could speed up or promote healing. The advantage of PRP injections is that the body heals naturally; they shorten the healing time, encourage tissue growth and decrease pain.
Remember that you receive a PRP injection of a concentration from your platelets to speed up healing. PRP injections use your healing system to improve musculoskeletal issues. A doctor can prepare an injection by drawing blood from any part of your body. They could collect one or more samples, depending on the number of injections you need. Once the samples are run through a centrifuge, they are injected directly into the diseased or injured body tissue. The injected sample will release its high concentration of growth elements into the injured or diseased body to increase and stimulate the number of natural restorative and reparative cells your body can produce.
Conditions that Require PRP Treatment
PRP injections can treat various medical issues, including cosmetic procedures, musculoskeletal injuries, and pain. The most common of these are:
Injuries in the Joints, Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments
Injuries are prevalent for everyone, not just those in sports. But sports people experience the most common and severe injuries. Fortunately, PRP injections effectively treat all injuries, including muscle, tendon, joint, and ligament injuries. For instance, if you experience a chronic tendon injury like a jumper's knee or tennis elbow, these injuries are excruciating and can take a long time to heal. Combining PRP injections into your treatment regimen could accelerate healing, reduce the pain, minimize the healing period and enable you to return to your favorite sport soon enough.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when flexible tissues at the end of your bones wear down. It happens gradually and worsens over time. Its most common symptom is pain. You could experience pain in the knees, hands, lower back, neck, or hips, depending on the location of the affected bones. PRP injections are very effective in treating the pain and stiffness that present with osteoarthritis. The injections also modulate the joint environment and reduce inflammation.
Post-Surgery Healing
Clinicians initially used PRP treatment to speed up healing after plastic and jaw surgeries. Today, PRP injections are used after several other surgical operations to heal tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Procedures on these tissues take a very long time to heal. PRP treatment can reduce the healing period and take care of your pain.
Find an Experienced PRP Treatment Expert Near Me
Are you injured or about to undergo surgery in Los Angeles, and consider PRP injections for speedy recovery?
It is vital to speak to your healthcare provider about it. Medical experts have in-depth information that could help you make an informed decision, including PRP injections' benefits and risk factors. Our skilled and experienced LA Pain and Joint Center clinicians are always ready to provide the information you need and guide you through all processes. Call us at 323-475-9288, and let us discuss your concerns.
