Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is used for the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and often in conjunction with stem cell treatment.
This involves administration of PRP to help heal muscles, tendons and ligaments in Austin TX.
PRP involves collecting thirty to sixty milliliters of the patient’s blood. The sample is then placed into a kit, which goes into a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from other blood components.
The provider will clean the area to be injected with an antiseptic. The PRP is then injected, typically using real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy) or ultrasound to assure correct needle placement.
The platelet-rich plasma contains three predominant cell types – growth factors, platelets and white blood cells. The growth factors stimulate tissue recovery by enhancing tendon stem cell proliferation, increasing collagen production, and motivating gene and protein expression. Platelets assist throughout the healing process, while white blood cells promote the first phase of healing, which is inflammation.
Growth factors also stimulate blood flow, causing cartilage to become more resilient and firm. In addition, PRP activates tenocytes, which are cells that produce collagen. The collagen then repairs ligaments, tendons, muscle, and cartilage.
You may notice increased pain in the first few days after the PRP injection. Patients typically gain increased strength and endurance, which increases gradually. Over time, patients often have increased functional mobility and ability, with patients reporting improvement over the course of three to nine months following the injection. According to ultrasound or MRI images, patients had noticeable improved tissue repair after 12 months, which supports proof of healing.
The following injuries are treated with PRP therapy:
According to some research reports, PRP therapy can delay surgical intervention. In addition, when treating chronic conditions, it is impossible to predict which conditions will respond to PRP and which ones will not. An incompletely healed chronic condition is characterized by scar tissue within the ligament, tendon, and/or muscle.
This often leads to impaired joint function, leaving the treatment site susceptible to re-injury. In some cases, the healing process is disrupted by lack of blood flow. When PRP is used in combination with physical therapy and reconditioning, it improves the chances of healing and decreases the risk for degeneration. A positive result often leads to a diminished need for surgery.
Platelet-rich plasma has been used to successfully treat many chronic conditions. The standard treatment regimen has proven useful for treating:
In a study involving platelet-rich plasma therapy for the treatment of epicondylitis, the procedure was found to have a 90% success rate. Of the 30 patients treated, the majority reported a decrease in pain along with improvement of functional status.
Hechtman KS, Uribe JW, van Demden A, et al. (2011). Platelet-rich Plasma Injection Reduces Pain in Patients With Recalcitrant Epicondylitis. Orthopedics, 34(2).
Platelet rich plasma therapy contributes to repairing the affected region along with decreasing the pain. If you would like to be considered for PRP treatment with R3 Stem Cell Centers, Contact Us today!