Our musculoskeletal system can do it all – we can drive to work, walk to school, perform chores, and even participate in sports thanks to our bones and muscles working together. However, accidents and injuries can impact our ability to perform our daily activities and can cause pain.
In order to relieve that pain, there are modern medical treatments available that can provide long-lasting relief to your aching joints. One of those is PRP treatment, which is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) medical injection therapy.
What Are Platelets and Plasma?
To understand how PRP treatment works, let’s talk about what platelets and plasma are. Platelets are flat, colorless, sticky blood cells that are responsible for healing an injury both inside and outside the body – you know them for their role in forming scabs. Platelets clot together and thereby help in keeping the body safe after an injury while it heals.
On the other hand, plasma is the liquid part of our blood. Plasma carries blood cells, proteins, and other nutrients throughout the body via the circulatory system. Along with platelets, plasma assists the natural healing processes of the human body.
How Does PRP Treat Joint Pain or Injury?
PRP therapy works by harnessing your own platelets and your own blood plasma to help facilitate faster and more efficient healing of an orthopedic (musculoskeletal) injury. First, a medical professional will take a blood sample from your arm. The doctor or technician will then place that blood sample in a centrifuge to process the various blood components, separating out the platelets. This way, they can extract the concentrated platelet-rich plasma for treating your injury or relieving your pain.
Your medical provider will then inject the PRP treatment into and around the injured area. This whole procedure takes less than an hour, and it’s virtually risk-free since your own cells are being used. You may undergo PRP treatment regularly, and the frequency will be based on your condition and the level of pain relief you need.
PRP treatment can help with pain management for the following orthopedic conditions:
- Partial rotator cuff tears
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage damage
- Bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Achilles tendonitis
- Knee injuries
Why Choose PRP Treatment for Pain?
PRP has become the new popular medical technique in the world of healthcare. But why should you try it?
- It provides quick pain relief. Many patients have achieved considerable relief after just one or two PRP injections.
- It is less risky than surgery. Your blood is the primary factor in PRP treatment, which means there is no risk of your body rejecting the blood components. Plus, it only involves an injection rather than an invasive surgical procedure which requires healing.
- There are no stitches, incisions, or scars.
- It is an excellent substitute for those who cannot have surgery due to age, health, and other conditions.
- The recovery time is virtually nonexistent. PRP treatment has been used by athletes to heal from injuries and pain quickly. Instead of recovering from surgery, patients who receive platelet-rich plasma treatment can get back in the game within a few weeks, and there is essentially no downtime in the meantime.
PRP Treatment in Delaware
Experiencing joint pain is a complete distraction to your daily life. To receive the pain relief you’re looking for, and to learn more about PRP treatment, schedule a consultation with our physicians here at Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers.
We have convenient locations in Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Smyrna, and Dover. You can call the location near you or schedule an appointment using our online form now. We look forward to seeing you!
