Conditions That Can Be Helped with PRP

Conditions That Can Be Helped with PRP

As one of regenerative medicine's starring treatments, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are increasingly used in many medical fields, from orthopedics and dental surgery to dermatology and rheumatology.

PRP's ability to activate healing and reduce inflammation make it a valuable option for a wide range of health conditions. But if you're considering PRP, it's important to consult with a medical professional like Behnam Khaleghi, MD, at Pacific Rheumatology, who has extensive experience in regenerative medicine.

Though PRP has proven benefits, treatment guidelines are still being researched and developed. That means you need a specialist who has the experience to make decisions about whether your rheumatologic condition may improve with PRP, and if so, the optimal concentration of platelets for your unique condition.

In this blog post, we talk about how PRP works and the conditions that often benefit from PRP injections.

PRP benefits

Platelets are normally found in your bloodstream, which is why we make your PRP treatment from a sample of your own blood. Any time you're injured, platelets go to the damaged tissues and release a barrage of proteins called growth factors.

Growth factors then trigger healing activities, such as:

When you get a PRP injection, we precisely inject the platelets at the site of the injured tissues. Then the platelets immediately send out growth factors that initiate these healing activities.

The extra boost of injected platelets accelerates healing. PRP gives your body the support it needs when your own healing response slows down or is overwhelmed by a chronic or serious problem. 

The conditions we frequently treat with PRP include arthritis, and tendonitis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial tissues lining your joints. This causes significant inflammation that damages other structures in the joint, including cartilage and bone.

Though rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint, it typically begins in the small joints of your fingers, wrists, toes, and feet. It also has the hallmark symptom of affecting the same joint on both sides of your body. 

No matter which joint is affected, injecting PRP can reduce your pain and inflammation, while improving joint function.

Osteoarthritis

Along with sports injuries, osteoarthritis tops the list of conditions most often treated with PRP. This type of arthritis occurs over years of repetitive movement and stress on the joint. As a result, the cartilage that covers and protects bones wears away, exposing the bones and allowing them to grate against one another.

Osteoarthritis usually begins in large, weight-bearing joints such as your knees, hips, and shoulders. Many patients with osteoarthritis find that their pain and joint mobility improve as PRP heals the remaining cartilage and fights inflammation.

Tendonitis

Tendons connect muscles to bones, making them vulnerable to repetitive movements that pull or tear the tendon and cause inflammation. That’s when you have tendonitis. Many tendons heal slowly because their blood supply is limited.

The longer it takes to heal, the higher the risk that weak scar tissue will develop instead of strong collagen fibers. Ongoing inflammation also weakens the tendon and increases the chance that it might rupture.

The influx of platelets from a PRP injection helps both problems. In addition to speeding healing and reducing inflammation, PRP reduces scarring by promoting the growth of blood vessels and collagen.

To learn how PRP may help you, call Pacific Rheumatology or book an appointment online today.To learn how PRP may help you, call Pacific Rheumatology or book an appointment online today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Is it Ever Too Late to Protect Your Bones From Osteoporosis?

It’s never too late to protect your bones from osteoporosis, a disease that slowly robs your bones of calcium. Why is prevention important? Because half of women and one-fourth of men suffer osteoporosis-related fractures. Osteoporosis isn’t a disease that

How to Manage Your Back Pain From Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that appears before age 30 and keeps progressing, affecting more joints and causing severe symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about treatment and self-care to halt the disease and ease your pain.

Common Misconceptions About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis arises from age-related changes in your bones, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined to have weak bones. Contrary to a common misconception, you can prevent osteoporosis. Here are three misconceptions about osteoporosis.

The Benefits of Natural Supplements

Natural supplements include vitamins, minerals, and plant-based ingredients that fight inflammation and support your immune system. The challenge is identifying the supplement and dose you need to improve your health. That’s where we can help.

Easing a Gout Attack: Your 10-Point Management Plan

Even if you’re not familiar with gout, you’ll recognize a gout attack. These attacks occur suddenly, causing rapid inflammation and severe pain — usually in the joint of your big toe. Here are 10 steps you can take to ease a gout attack.

Can PRP Therapy Help My Joint Pain?

Can you think of any better way to relieve joint pain than by healing the damaged tissues? The only way to do that is with regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a natural and safe treatment that can ease arthritis pain.