Platelet-rich plasma for arthritis
Platelet-rich plasma is a type of regenerative medicine. The procedure involves injecting your own blood platelets derived from your blood to speed up the healing process. Though the treatment isn’t approved by the FDA yet, doctors support it due to its exceptionally good benefits and proven results.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, also called PRP therapy, is a form of treatment that harnesses the natural healing properties of blood to repair cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and even bones that have been damaged.
It may not be considered standard practice, but a growing number of people are turning to PRP injections to treat an expanding list of orthopaedic conditions, including arthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common condition treated with PRP.
Know more: PRP Treatment for Knee Pain Cost in Hyderabad
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common arthritic condition that mostly affects older individuals and is often accompanied by chronic pain and adversely affects the quality of life. Catabolism of structural tissues & inflammation is two interconnected biological mechanisms that promote the development of early osteoarthritis.
Studies have revealed that various forms of platelet-rich plasma therapy for knees may be successful in treating low to medium knee osteoarthritis. Since knee cartilage has a low regenerative capacity, treating knee osteoarthritis can be difficult. It may not be possible to cure osteoarthritis. In most cases, the goal of this treatment is to improve the symptoms and delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
PRP is injected directly into the affected knee joint when treating osteoarthritis. The main objective of this treatment is to reduce pain, improve the functions of joints and possibly repair damage to the cartilage.
A patient’s own blood is used to prepare platelet-rich plasma. Normal blood has a lower concentration of platelets than plasma in therapeutic injections.
What is plasma?
Plasma is said to be the fluid portion of blood; It serves as a transport system for particles flowing in the bloodstream, including red and white blood cells. Proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, and antibodies are among the additional elements found in plasma, which is primarily composed of water.
What are platelets?
Platelets are normal blood components, just like red and white blood cells. Platelets do not possess any inherent healing or tissue repair abilities, but they produce important components like growth factors and proteins which has the potential to control cell division, encourage tissue regeneration, and aid in healing. Additionally, platelets aid in the blood’s ability to clot; as a result, someone with defective or insufficient platelets tends to bleed heavily from injuries.
Is PRP treatment effective for knee arthritis?
According to some clinical studies, PRP is a temporary solution, and the effects of injections might last for up to nine months. However, the exact duration that PRP injections stay effective differs from one person to other. Overall, some studies state that 60% – 85% improvement of knee pain and other symptoms is seen in patients who undergo PRP treatment.
An article was published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine describing patients undergoing PRP injections for knee osteoarthritis reporting improvement of symptoms in just one week after treatment, and it lasted more than six months. Further, taking PRP injections from time to time considerably prolonged the treatment’s efficacy.
PRP treatment’s effectiveness is likely to be decreased if the arthritic condition is more severe or complex.
The effectiveness of PRP therapy is also influenced by the overall health of the candidates. Patients who are healthy are more likely to respond to treatment and maintain the effectiveness of the treatment.
Last but not least, the response from the patient’s body when they took the PRP injections for the first time also plays a crucial role in how effectively and how long they are benefited from this PRP procedure.
PRP therapy may not be suitable for everyone, but If you are a suitable candidate for PRP, you will have more advantages. For more information, consult Dr. Ajay Tiwari, one of the best orthopaedic specialists in Hyderabad. He has hands-on experience in treating knee osteoarthritis with PRP injections. Call +91 98499 82203 to book an appointment with the doctor right away.
