After an injury, the body tries to heal itself without outside aid. However, when the wounds are too deep, and the body is unable to repair them, external help is required. With the technological advancement in the medical and healthcare field, better options for quick recovery are available. One such technology is platelet-rich plasma therapy. The naturally available platelets and growth factors from the plasma provide additional warriors to the body for quick healing.
Given here are some crucial information you should know when opting for a platelet-rich plasma therapy-
What is Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a regenerative medicine injected directly into the damaged site to heal the body naturally. The platelets and the plasma are extracted from the patient's blood which eradicates the body’s chances of rejecting it. The most significant advantage of PRP therapy is that it avoids unnecessary surgeries.
When is PRP Used?
Since PRP therapies are a non-surgical method of restoring your body, they are highly recommended by Physicians and health professionals. Being an autologous procedure, it removes the need to search for a donor and body rejecting foreign blood components.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy has many applications in the medical field. It is used in
- Dermatology
- Aesthetics
- Hair Restoration
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Wound Management
- Sexual Rejuvenation
- Cosmetic Gynecology
- Dental
- Opthalmology
- Veterinary
Although, some of the best results have been seen in repairing musculoskeletal injuries. Some of the applications of PRP are-
- Tendon injuries: Tendons are strong connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. But if injured, they can give you a tough time. Tendons can be difficult to repair as they are used all the time. Since PRP therapy increases tendon cell proliferation, it reduces inflammation and pain caused by the injury and regenerates the tissue.
- Sports injuries: Most musculoskeletal injuries are caused during strenuous activities like sports, with sprains, strains, and tears being the most common injuries. PRP injections efficiently speed up the body’s healing process by increasing cell proliferation and reducing inflammation.
- Osteoarthritis: Pain in the knees can be effectively reduced using PRP injections. The plasma provides a matrix to prolong cartilage, provide natural joint lubrication with growth factors, and reduces pain by anti-inflammatory properties.
What is the Average Cost of a PRP Injection?
Prices vary depending on many variables. Some of these variables include your practice location, price of the PRP kit, and Physician’s experience with the treatment. The area being treated also plays a very important factor in cost. Some areas require additional equipment like Fluoroscopy and X-Ray devices to make sure platelets are injected accurately on the site of injury.
How Much Time Does it Take for Recovery?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a repairing procedure aiming at regenerating damaged tissue at its source. Your body needs time to heal and function correctly. It takes weeks to months for the body to restore tissues to their normal state. Post-injection rehabilitations are required to enhance your body’s reaction to the therapy. The treated area is allowed to rest and improve through different light exercises before easing into regular use.
How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
Most patients achieve successful outcomes with only one injection. In some cases, a series of three injections is required to achieve significant results. Each injection is spaced 4-6 weeks apart. There is no limit to the number of treatments you can have; however, literature has shown that about 15% of patients do not see improvement with more than three injections and should consider other treatments.
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