Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections as a Treatment for Chronic Pain
One of the most common reasons why people visit their doctor is discomfort and, fortunately, there might be a new treatment option for chronic pain in the form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. According to information that has been published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about one out of every five adults in the United States suffered from chronic pain during the recent past. About 8 percent of adults also indicated that their pain adversely impacted their quality of life in some way.
These numbers are heartbreaking and demonstrate that more needs to be done for chronic pain treatment. Some of the traditional treatment options include prescription medications and surgical options. Unfortunately, prescription medications such as opioids and narcotics can have dangerous side effects. Furthermore, not every surgical procedure is successful in eliminating pain. Now, platelet-rich plasma presents a new hope for individuals who are struggling with chronic pain. It might provide a way for people to relieve chronic discomfort and improve their quality of life.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
There has been a tremendous amount of research in the world of chronic pain over the past few years, and this has led to the development of platelet-rich plasma injections as a treatment option. This treatment option has led to the rapid growth of a medical field known as regenerative medicine.
The goal of platelet-rich plasma injections is to harness the body’s ability to regenerate itself and eliminate chronic pain. Plasma is the liquid portion of the body’s blood supply. It is made up mostly of plasma and proteins. Platelets are the small cells in the bloodstream that form clots, stopping the body from bleeding. Plasma and platelets also play key roles in the body’s healing process and have shown to be effective in the management of chronic pain.
How do PRP Injections Work?
With the help of medical research, doctors have developed the ability to harness platelet-rich plasma and use these as injections to help the body’s healing process. In PRP injections, plasma and platelets are first harnessed via a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a medical device that separates substances based on weight. This centrifuge will separate out the plasma and platelets, allowing them to be isolated and used in an injection.
After this, the doctor will identify where the pain is located. Some of the most common locations of chronic pain include:
- Joints, such as knees and hips, which might have been injured in a traumatic accident
- The back, which might stem from a herniated disc or a spinal cord injury
- The neck, which can be injured in an auto accident or a bicycle collision
Once the location has been isolated, the doctor might use an imaging procedure, such as an ultrasound machine, to guide the needle into the location. Then, PRP is injected into this site to help with the healing process. Because plasma and platelets play such an important role in the body’s ability to regenerate, this injection will help the damaged tissue recover. As the tissue recovers, patients should notice an improvement in their pain.
Advantages of Using PRP Injections Over Other Methods
Research has already shown that PRP injections can help people recover from chronic pain due to traumatic injuries. Some of the injuries for which PRP has proven effective include:
- Tears of the rotator cuff
- Ruptures of the Achilles tendon
- Knee pain due to ligament tears, including ACL tears
- Tendonitis in the elbow
PRP injections also have a number of advantages over other treatment options. For example, with platelet-rich plasma, people will not have to take as many anti-inflammatory medications and will not have to rely on opioid or narcotic medications to help with their pain. Next, because PRP injections are crafted from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of rejection or a severe negative reaction. Finally, PRP injections can even help someone avoid surgery for chronic pain. Even though platelet-rich plasma injections are still a relatively new therapy, they have already proven effective in the treatment of chronic pain.
Sacramento Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. There has been a lot of research recently that has led to new treatment options for chronic pain. If you or a family member has suffered from chronic pain following a severe accident, contact me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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