The body’s healing process is extremely complex and equally extremely important. The faster the healing process begins, the better the odds of the injured area recovering fully.
One of the newest and most innovative areas of medicine is Ortho-biologics. This involves using the body’s own natural processes to heal itself. In simple terms, biological repair, rather than using a substance that is artificial and drug related. One of the most successful an widely used biological treatments is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. PRP uses a person’s own platelets derived from plasma (a component of the blood) to activate and stimulate the healing process in injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. The high concentration of platelets in the plasma is five to seven times more than the same amount of whole blood. This then activates the further production of more platelets and other healing factors in the area. PRP is a concentrated source of cellular and growth factors, which plays a significant role in the healing process. Many clinical studies have demonstrated that PRP treatment has improved function and decreased pain to many different conditions such as elbow, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. Here at Dynamic Regenerative Medicine we regularly preferring this treatment for osteoarthritis, with great clinical outcomes. Q: How long has PRP been used? A: The therapy has been used for more than 20 years in numerous surgical fields, including plastic surgery and orthopedic surgery. Q: What are the benefits of PRP? A: The platelet Treatment can accelerate wound healing, reduce the risk of infection following a surgical procedure, lessen joint pain, heal soft tissue injuries (tendons, ligaments, muscles) and decrease lower back disc degeneration and arthritis. It is also used to increase healing following various surgical and dental procedures. Q: How do you get the platelets? A: Blood is simply taken from the body just like when a blood draw is needed for a blood test. Not much blood is needed; just 20ml. Q: What happens after the blood draw? A: After the blood is drawn it is put into a centrifuge that spins the blood at a high speed causing the blood components to separate. The plasma is concentrated an placed in a syringe for use. Q: Where and how is the plasma injected? A: Injured tissue is injection in a quick process. Sometimes, there is more than one injection site, but sites will be close to each other. Q: How does PRP work? A: The highly-concentrated platelet-rich plasma increases cell proliferation, which, in turn, increases the number of cells in the area that specialise in repair and healing damaged tissues. PRP also facilitates the stimulation and regeneration of collagen which is the primary component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and skin. Q: Is the procedure painful? A: There associated slight soreness in the area of the injection that is normally short lived. The soreness following the procedure is the body’s response to the healing process that was initiated and may be considered “good pain” (extreme pain should be reported immediately). Anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen or blood-thinning such as Aspirin must be avoided as the body’s healing process includes inflammation. Q: How much down time is needed? A: Relative rest for 24hrs following the procedure, followed by a progressive programme of rehabilitation including stretching and strengthening. Most people can resume normal day-to-day activities such as walking and light exercise the same day or the next day. Strenuous lifting or high-intensity exercise should be avoided for several days after the injection. Q: How many injections are needed in the injured area? A: Because the regeneration of collagen takes four to six months, multiple injections may be needed, depending on the injury and a person’s response to the therapy. On average, three injections at four- to six-week intervals are needed. Q: What are the risks of infection or rejection of the platelets? A: Infection risks are low because the procedure is an injection rather than an incision and is performed in a sterile conidtions. Rejection of the plasma is not a consideration because the person’s own blood is used rather than a pharmaceutical product. Find out more at Dynamic Osteopaths
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