Have you considered platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as a treatment for your arthritis? It’s an innovative and increasingly popular treatment option that has shown impressive results for many of those suffering from the daily pain of osteoarthritis. One of the questions you may have, is how long the pain relief will last. Let’s learn more.
What are Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Injections?
Platelet-rich plasma is created from the patient’s blood. Placing the blood in a centrifuge makes it possible to separate the proteins and platelets responsible for healing within the body. Those are then sterilized and prepared for the simple procedure of injecting them into the affected joint.
By placing a concentrated amount of the contents within our blood that heal our body into a joint that has been damaged by arthritis, it’s possible to see a relief of symptoms. PRP injections help stimulate our body’s healing process, focusing it on a specific area that is damaged.
Benefits of PRP
The most significant benefit of platelet-rich plasma injections is that there are no medications or invasive procedures necessary. It can be done in as little as 30 minutes, right at the office, with minimal risk of adverse reactions and virtually no downtime. The simple procedure may cause inflammation for the first few days, but as the PRP begins to encourage healing within the joint over the coming weeks, overall inflammation that causes many arthritis symptoms will decrease.
What You Can Expect
Through several studies on the effectiveness of PRP injections, the average patient can see around six months of symptom relief. This can be extended with periodic maintenance injections that can further promote healing at the affected joints. The length of time that the PRP injections will be effective will be determined by several additional factors, such as the severity of arthritis damage at the start and the patient’s overall health. Some patients are more responsive to this type of therapy and will see faster results for a longer time than others.
If you’re ready to learn more about PRP injections as a solution for your worsening osteoarthritis pain, call Dr. Steve Struhl at Regenerative Orthopaedics today. You will learn more about your condition and possible treatment options during your initial appointment and get a personalized recommendation for the best and most effective treatment.