At Strasburger Orthopaedics, Dr. Scott Strasburger is dedicated to offering the latest therapies to his patients. Joint injury can cause limiting pain that is difficult to overcome – but playing hurt can take a lot of enjoyment out of any game. Among the many functional and regenerative solutions that are revolutionizing the way we treat joint pain, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections rank high on the list.
The healing properties of your own blood cells
Your blood is made up of four major ingredients: white blood cells, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Of these, platelets are the most powerful; they not only provide the all important clotting factors, but also contain powerful growth factors. These growth factors kickstart the healing process, encouraging tissue regeneration and reducing pain at the site of the injury.
Imagine a small cut on your hand. When the injury occurs, platelets go right to work, stopping the bleeding and encouraging the rebuilding process by releasing growth factors to kickstart cellular regeneration. The same goes for a heavy bruise or a strain. Your body’s platelets work quickly and effectively to help heal you from the inside out, knitting small tears together, fighting inflammation, and generating pain relief.
Now imagine taking your body’s natural ability to heal and concentrating it. That’s how PRP works – a small vial of blood is extracted, then centrifuged to concentrate the platelets in the plasma. The platelet rich plasma is reinjected into your body at the site of your injury or pain. It goes to work instantly, boosting the natural healing process.
Why use PRP for joint pain?
Joint pain can be one of the hardest conditions to treat, since it is often caused by cartilage damage. While muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even bones can be repaired, cartilage injuries can be harder to treat. The body doesn’t regenerate cartilage as easily as it does other types of cells. With PRP, cartilage injuries can be addressed and pain relief obtained while healing activity is encouraged.
When Dr. Scott injects PRP into your painful joint, the platelets go right to work signalling the brain and the rest of your body to send more resources to the injury, speeding healing and helping to rebuild healthy tissues around the joint — including your cartilage. The result is less pain and faster recovery, so you can get back to doing what you love.
Is stubborn joint pain disrupting your athletic endeavors? Contact our office for a consultation and ask Dr. Scott about PRP today.