Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections performed by a top Rochester Hills Pain Management Doctor
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a substance made from an individual’s own blood in order to trigger the natural healing process. The medical process involved in PRP therapy is relatively simple. It provides a less invasive treatment method for joint injuries and arthritis combining the natural healing ability of the human body with innovative, cutting-edge technology.
PRP, a blood product containing concentrated platelets, effectively “jump starts” the normal healing process. Platelets are made up of growth hormones and cytokines that increase levels of tissue rebuilding when injured. PRP injections actually stimulate mild inflammatory responses, which trigger the healing process to begin, leading to new cell growth, restored blood circulation as well as regeneration of tissues. Since the platelet rich plasma belongs to the affected patient, there are no potential risks of tissue rejection and contraction of hepatitis and HIV.
These findings show the safety, efficacy and possible improvement in pain scores and local tenderness when PRP therapy is utilized as an integral part of a treatment regime.
An article published in the December 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) presents the initial evidence-based recommendations for the use of PRP therapy in orthopaedic care. The authors of this paper established the specific musculoskeletal conditions that PRP proved to be successful treating as well as other areas where additional research is required.
This evidence supports the use of PRP therapy as an effective treatment for conditions such as ankle arthritis and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). PRP injections administered during ACL reconstruction of the knee also contribute to enhanced healing. The authors recommend that further study is needed for including PRP therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, injuries to the rotator cuff, Achilles tendon repairs, and other chronic tendinopathies. Platelet rich plasma is not considered to be beneficial in bone healing applications. It should not be used in spinal fusions or other procedures involving bone grafting.
Another randomized study was conducted by researchers from the Rothman Institute (Jefferson University Hospital) along with researchers from other centers. The purpose was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of platelet rich plasma therapy in the management of the tenderness and pain associated with tennis elbow. Examinations were performed on 230 chronic tennis elbow patients. They all had symptoms lasting a minimum of three months and had found no relief from conventional therapy methods. OF the subjects, 116 were given PRP treatments while 114 participants made up the control group.
At the beginning of the study, no differences were seen between the two groups. All subjects were given 0.25% bupivacaine mixed with epinephrine. The PRP group also had a single PRP injection administered into their extensor tendon. Everyone was tracked for up to 24 weeks. At the 12 week mark, the PRP patients reported an improvement of 55% in their pain scores while 47% improvement was experienced by the active control group. By 24 weeks, PRP patients realized 71% improvement versus 56% reported in the control group.
Within 12 weeks of treatment, 37.4% of the PRP group still reported significant elbow tenderness as compared to 48% in the control group. By the 24 week mark, 29% of PRP patients were still suffering from significant tenderness while 54% of the control group were. No notable complications appeared within either group. These findings show the safety, efficacy and possible improvement in pain scores and local tenderness when PRP therapy is utilized as an integral part of a treatment regime.
University Pain Clinic of Rochester offers a number of innovative treatment and procedure options to reduce your pain associated with peripheral neuralgia. Use the form of phone number on this page to contact us and schedule an appointment.
Resources:
rimgmd.com/pages/platelet-rich-plasma-therapy
news-medical.net/news/20131212/Research-paper-provides-first-evidence-based-recommendations-for-using-PRP-in-orthopaedic-care
Science Daily