What is Platelet-rich Plasma?
Platelets, a type of blood cell essential to general bodily repair, and plasma, the liquid portion of blood, make up platelet-rich plasma. Platelets include growth factors in addition to their well-known clotting abilities. These growth factors can boost tissue regeneration, promote cell proliferation, or speed up healing in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma, to put it simply, is blood that has more platelets than normal.
Clinicians draw a blood sample from the patient and place it into a centrifuge, which quickly spins the sample, isolating the platelets from the other blood components and concentrating them inside the plasma. This process produces platelet-rich plasma.
A PRP Injection: What is it?
A patient’s blood sample is used to make platelet-rich plasma, which is then injected into the wounded area, such as a tendon or knee, as needed. The doctor may occasionally use ultrasonography to direct the injection. To hasten the healing process, it is intended to raise the concentration of particular bio proteins or hormones, known as growth factors, in a particular location.
The underlying process of PRP injections is not fully known. According to studies, the higher concentration of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma may accelerate or hasten the healing process, reducing the amount of time that injuries take to heal, the intensity of the pain, and even promoting hair development.
What is the Purpose of PRP Therapy?
A variety of ailments, including musculoskeletal discomfort and injuries, as well as cosmetic operations, can be treated with PRP injections.
Injury to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints
Many musculoskeletal injuries and diseases may be treated with PRP injections. For instance, adding PRP injections to a therapy plan can help to speed up the healing process, lessen pain, and permit a quicker return to activities for chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow or jumper’s knee.
Postoperative Recovery
PRP was initially used by doctors to hasten the healing process following jaw or plastic surgery. Due to the lengthy recovery durations associated with treatments on these tissues, post-surgical PRP injections have now been expanded to assist in the healing of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Osteoarthritis
Early research suggests that osteoarthritis pain and stiffness may be treated with PRP injections by altering the joint environment and lowering inflammation, but more research is needed.
Hair Fall
Male pattern baldness can be effectively treated with PRP injections, which both stop hair loss and encourage the creation of new hair. PRP can help stimulate the growth of new hair after hair transplants.
Regenerating the Skin
There isn’t much proof that PRP injections can delay the onset of wrinkles and other aging symptoms, despite the fact that PRP is occasionally used as an anti-aging treatment.
Risks and Side effects of PRP Therapy in Winchester
A PRP injection is a low-risk technique with few negative effects. You should drink plenty of water and eat before the operation to avoid feeling dizzy because it involves drawing blood. You can suffer some discomfort and bruise at the treated area following the treatment.
Compared to other injectable treatments like corticosteroids, the chance of an allergic reaction is far lower with PRP injections because they are formed of your own cells and plasma. PRP injection dangers that are less frequent include:
- Bleeding
- Damaged Tissue
- Infection
- Nerve damage
Be sure to discuss all the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor if you’re thinking about getting PRP injections.
Who stands to gain?
PRP Therapy in Winchester has been used by both professional and amateur athletes, as well as people who have sustained muscle injuries or have joint pain. Watch the video to see how we assisted David in returning to the golf field after he visited us with minor ankle pain.