PRP for Arthritis: What You Need to Know
Nearly one in four adults are affected by joint pain. For example, it can be caused by gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.
Arthritis is another common cause. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent joint damage, which can affect your mobility. Not only that, but it can affect the tendons and ligaments as well.
Fortunately, there are different treatment options available—platelet-rich plasma therapy being one of them.
What is it? How does PRP for arthritis work? Are there any side effects? Find out all of the answers and more by reading the rest of the post!
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves using a person’s own platelets to stimulate the body’s healing process (they contain growth factors that can help the tissues repair themselves). This can help those with arthritis, tendonitis, and other conditions.
During the procedure, a healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from the arm. The sample will then be put into a centrifuge; this will separate it into different layers, one of them being the platelet-rich plasma.
This platelet-rich plasma will then be injected into the affected area. For example, the doctor may give you a PRP injection for arthritis in the knee. They’ll numb the area with a topical anesthetic first so that you won’t feel any pain.
After a short rest, you’ll be able to go home.
How Effective is PRP Treatment For Arthritis?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy may provide benefits to those with low to moderate knee osteoarthritis. For one thing, it can help with the pain. Not only that, but it may also improve an individual’s physical function.
Keep in mind, however, that the treatment is still experimental and may not work for everyone. Its efficacy also depends on various factors such as your overall health, the part of the body that requires treatment, and whether your injury is acute or chronic.
Potential Side Effects
PRP injections for arthritis use your own blood so they’re likely to be safe. With that said, some people may experience pain at the injection site. There’s also a small risk of infection and nerve damage.
Other potential side effects include nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, stiffness, and headache. However, researchers believe that they’re not specific to the PRP treatment. Rather, they’re associated with the injection itself.
Also, there’s no way to know what your dose contains as the treatment is not yet fully standardized.
Using PRP For Arthritis
And there you have it—a guide on how PRP for arthritis works. While it’s still in the experimental stages, the results appear promising. For those who’d like to learn more, talk to your doctor; they’ll be able to provide you with more information.
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