Joint pain from disease or injuries can make everyday tasks tough to do and prevent you from enjoying some activities. When you’re looking for a natural way to help heal joint damage, platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP injections) might be an option to explore. You might consider this form of treatment when medications and other forms of treatment have not been effective.
How Do PRP Injections Work?
PRP injections use natural parts of your blood to promote healing. These injections use a combination of plasma, the liquid component of blood, and platelets. Growth factors in platelets help the healing process occur. PRP injections have a much higher concentration of platelets than normal, which helps stimulate healing in targeted areas. This type of treatment involves getting PRP injections in areas where joint damage has occurred due to injuries or disease, such as arthritis. The high concentration of platelets in these injections supports healthy tissue growth, which replaces worn or damaged tissue.
Which Conditions Do Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Treat?
PRP injections can be used to treat a wide range of joint injuries and other kinds of joint damage. When you have ongoing pain from any of the following conditions, you might want to discuss this treatment with your doctor.
Knee Injuries
PRP injections can be used to treat problems with your knee joint, such as tendon injuries or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Shoulder Injuries
When rotator cuff injuries don’t respond to other forms of treatment, PRP injections might provide effective treatment.
Arthritis
If you have severe joint damage due to arthritis, ask your doctor about PRP injections. These injections might help ease joint inflammation and pain caused by this disease.
Foot Injuries
PRP injections can be used to treat some types of foot injuries or conditions that cause pain and inflammation, such as plantar fasciitis.
Tendon Injuries
When you have inflammation from tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis, PRP injections can promote healing that helps ease pain.
Spine Injuries
PRP injections might be an option for some kinds of spine-related issues when medications, physical therapy, and other forms of treatment have not been effective.
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when sacs called bursae in your knees and other joints become inflamed. PRP injections given in these areas might provide relief from pain.
Cartilage Injuries
Damage to cartilage can sometimes be treated with PRP injections. This damage can occur due to acute injuries or wear and tear that happens over the years.
Orthopedic Surgery
When you have orthopedic surgery done to correct joint problems, PRP injections can sometimes be used during these procedures. These injections can help promote healing.
If you’re looking for more information on platelet-rich plasma injections for joint injuries or damage, please contact Huntington Orthopedics. We can answer your questions about PRP injections and schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists.