Important Information On Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

By Robert Johnson


Platelets are cellular structures found in blood and involved in the process of tissue healing and repair. Platelet rich plasma (or PRP) is blood plasma augmented with platelets. This mixture also contains growth factors and chemicals known as cytokines. The use of PRP has been adopted in many medical fields including cosmetic surgery, pain management and dentistry among others. In this article we will look at how platelet rich plasma therapy is used in Vaughan.

The PRP will be prepared from your own blood. Once the whole blood has been drawn, it is put in a centrifuge so as to separate the white and red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP is then activated through the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride. There are a number of other important factors in the PRP that include interleukin 8, connective tissue growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and fibroblast growth factor among others.

The PRP is injected directly into the area of interest under the guidance of ultrasound to increase the accuracy. Examples of conditions that have been managed successfully using the therapy include osteoarthritis, ankle sprains, rotator cuff tears, tendinitis, ligament sprains, pelvic pain, cardiac muscle injuries and plantar fasciitis among others. The PRP therapy may be used in isolation or in combination with other modalities depending on the condition that is involved.

One of the newest applications of this treatment is in the management of sporting injuries among professional athletes. There have been some concerns that the therapy may be violating anti-doping rules. Since it has not been clearly demonstrated whether it gives athletes a competitive edge, the subject remains open for discussion. For the time being, the therapy will continue to help athletes heal faster and resume what they love doing.

This treatment is typically done within a few hours. There are very few side effects if any which makes it possible to administer the therapeutic agent in an outpatient clinic. You will notice an improvement after a couple of hours and you can resume your normal routine immediately. A majority of people will need just a single injection in six months. For others, two or three are needed.

Rarely, some people may experience pain at the site of injection. While this may resolve in a few days in most cases, there are individuals who have this problem for weeks. This is likely to be experienced when the injections are done into tendons. Introduction of the PRP may increase the pressure in an area that is already irritated aggravating the problem further. What is important to remember is that this pain eventually abates regardless of how long it takes.

Although PRP therapy can be given to virtually anyone, there are situations in which its use is not recommended. If you are a heavy smoker, the general recommendation is that you should stop for some time as administering the treatment may aggravate your problem. Medical conditions that make the treatment potentially harmful include, among others, thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, chronic skin diseases, sepsis and low levels of fibrinogen.

Platelet rich plasma treatment is a treatment that has continued to grow tremendously in recent times. It is one of the most natural and safest treatments that exist and quite effective for chronic conditions at the same time. Ongoing research suggests that this is going to be one of the main treatments of the future. If you feel that the treatment will be beneficial in your case, talk to your doctor so that your suitability as a candidate can be assessed.




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