Platelet Rich Plasma Is Used to Treat Osteoarthritis and Inflammation
Platelet Rich Plasma is used to treat osteoarthritis and inflammation . PRP is short for platelet rich plasma. Treatment of inflammation and osteoarthritis involves using PRP. This is a new area of orthopaedics called orthobiologics. This is an area of medicine where we use the body to treat the body. PRP is generated by drawing blood from your arm.
The patient is having their blood drawn to use for a PRP injection
The blood next goes into a special tube. Then, the tube with the blood is placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins at a rapid rate for 20 minutes. In conclusion, this process separates the platelets and plasma. This combination of blood products is called platelet rich plasma.
The image shows a vial of PRP after the blood has been centrifuged
What is Platelet Rich Plasma’s Indications?
Doctors inject PRP in the area of the body where inflammation and or osteoarthritis is located. The platelets are full of natural anti-inflammatory factors. This reduces inflammation from the injection.
Who is a Candidate for PRP
Good candidates for PRP are people who have osteoarthritis or inflammation. Common diagnosis treated with PRP include tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles’ tendonitis, golfers elbow and rotator cuff tendinitis.
People that have a disease process related to platelets are not good candidates. Especially if they are on medication for their platelet disease. Most people will try other treatment options prior to PRP. The reason being is that most insurance companies to not cover the injection therapy. The treatment becomes an out of pocket cost.
How Quick Does PRP Work?
Most patients will have good to excellent relief of their symptoms within 2 weeks when used for osteoarthritis. It may take 6 weeks before you feel the feel effect of the PRP if it is for an inflammatory condition such as tennis elbow or plantar fasciitis .
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