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Can PRP Help My Arthritic Joints?
Arthritis can cause joint stiffness, swelling, and pain that can lead to mobility issues and even disability. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cutting-edge treatment that works by harnessing your body’s natural healing capabilities in order to reduce your pain and improve your mobility.
Dr. Halina Snowball offers this groundbreaking treatment at Integrated Pain Solutions in Stamford, Connecticut. If you’re suffering from arthritis-related knee pain, hip pain, or other pain, find out whether PRP treatments can help you.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that most often causes joint inflammation and pain. It can also cause restricted mobility, warm skin, tenderness, stiffness, weakness, and loss of muscle.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, most often caused by wear-and-tear, age, or injury. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage between your joint breaks down, causing pain.
Other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by immune problems.
PRP for arthritis
Your blood consists of red and white blood cells suspended in plasma along with other nutrients, proteins, antibodies, and platelets. Platelets help your blood clot during an injury and secrete substances called growth factors, which directly encourage healing.
PRP therapy works by harnessing the healing power of these growth factors, injecting them directly into an injured area to boost your recovery. Because this innovative treatment goes straight to the source of your pain, it’s a great option for treating difficult-to-reach areas like your joints.
A study of 78 participants with arthritis in both knees showed that participants treated with PRP injections saw a marked reduction in pain and an increase in knee function at six weeks and three months. Participants receiving placebo injections had increased pain and decreased function.
This study also noted that because PRP is minimally invasive and derived from your own blood there are minimal side effects, making it a safe and effective treatment. That’s why a recent review of studies focusing on PRP’s efficacy in treating arthritis concluded that, “PRP should be your first choice for injection therapy in treating osteoarthritis of the knee.”
How does a PRP session work?
During your PRP session, we remove some of your blood before using a centrifuge to separate it into components. Then, we separate the plasma and inject the solution directly into your arthritic joints.
By transporting your own healing growth factors directly into your arthritic joint, this procedure infuses the damaged joint with healing substances. And since the PRP solution is harvested from your own blood, it’s completely natural, non-toxic, and incredibly safe.
If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, discomfort, or inflammation, you don’t have to suffer in silence. We’re here to help you find relief. To find out more, call our office or request an appointment online today.
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