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PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
A natural, non-surgical technique to heal & rejuvenate damaged joints, tissues &bones
Medical advances have uncovered a promising 100% natural treatment for pain and injury called Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, or” PRP” that is safe and effective in a variety of injuries, from chronic conditions to acute trauma. It often eliminates or at least delays the need for surgery. It is drug-free, with a short recovery time in most cases.
Basically, our blood is made of four components: the plasma a fluid rich in proteins, the red blood cells which carry the oxygen necessary to our organs, the white blood cells which fight infections and maintain our immune system, and at last, the platelets. These ones are small bags containing chemicals (growth factors) involved in tissue growth and repair as well as blood coagulation.
How do we get PRP? By spinning the blood, we can separate the different components which have different densities.
The yellow phase contains the platelets. It is collected separately and injected in the damaged site
Why is PRP Used?
When the body is injured or damaged, it initiates a powerful cascade of responses designed to begin the process of healing. This repair responses usually starts with the formation of a platelet rich blood clot. Platelets then release healing proteins that go to work to heal the skin, bone and other tissues.
Certain injuries, however, can be resistant to healing due to a lack of blood flow to the area, repetitive stress, or wearing away of tissue. When these injuries do not heal patients often become frustrated. Patients may try anti-inflammatories and other pain medications, topical creams and gels, braces, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and cortisone injections but nothing seems to work. That’s because these therapies may try to treat pain and inflammation, but they don’t treat the underlying problem of scar tissue, disordered fibers and poor angiogenesis (blood flow). The result is many patients may give up and live with pain and disability or may end up with surgery. PRP Therapy is the solution to this problem. By injecting blood platelets into the injured area, the healing proteins go directly to the site to repair the damage.
What Types of conditions are treated with PRP?
Based on current research, soft injuries are the most responsive to PRP. This includes tendonitis, tendon tears, ligament sprains or tears, loose ligaments, and muscle tears. PRP has also been effective at treating cartilage degeneration, such as early arthritis as well as labrum tears in joints.
SHOULDER:
Rotator cuff tendinitis or tear, rotator cuff impingement syndrome or bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, degenerative labrum tears, arthritis.
KNEE:
Patellar tendinitis, partially torn or strained major ligament of knee (ACL/LCL/MCL) degenerative meniscus tears.
ELBOW/WRIST/HAND:
Tennis elbow, golfer’s Elbow, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, Trigger Finger, Osteo-arthritis (including the trapezio-metacarpal joint), Other wrist or finger tendonitis.
ANKLE:
Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, ankle sprain, instability, other foot or ankle tendonitis.
SPINE:
Whiplash injury, ligament sprain, instability, rib problems, arthritis sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
HIP:
Iliotibial band Tendinitis (ITB Syndrome), Psoas tendinitis and bursitis, Greater trochanteric bursitis, Labrum tears, arthritis, Labrum tears, Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
How Does PRP Work to Heal?
Unlike Cortisone shots, PRP heals the injured region. Growth Factors are released from large quantities of activated platelets at the site of injury. This leads to an induced inflammatory reaction that initiates a powerful effective healing cascade. Growth factors stimulate blood flow, promote matrix formation which is the “groundwork” of all soft tissue, restore tendon and ligamentous proteins that may have been previously compromised, and “toughen up” cartilage to become firmer and more resilient.
Is PRP painful? Patients typically tolerate the procedure well although post-injection soreness is expected.
How many treatments will I need?
Typically, it is recommended three treatments be administered depending on the degree of injury and how long the injury has been there. In some instances, a fourth treatment is provided. Treatments are typically 2-4 weeks, if indicated.
What can I expect after PRP?
For the first 48 hours, patients may experience some swelling or discomfort in the injected area. Therefore, all patients are provided with pain medicine. After PRP injection, ice is needed. By day 5, these symptoms will resolve. At this point, physical therapy can be started to optimize PRP effects. Follow-up with the physician will be one month later to evaluate improvement.
How long does PRP take to “work”?
Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2-6 weeks after PRP. Symptom improvement is slow and subtle as days and weeks pass, with usual report of original pain being replaced with more soreness. “Good days” become more, and “bad days” become less as time passes, with pain intensity dropping along the way. Increased endurance and strength are typically reported. Clinical trials arc reporting ongoing improvement up to 6-9 months after PRP in some cases.
Are there side effects of PRP?
Nothing else is added to the patient’s own blood products, so there is no risk of allergy, reaction or rejection. PRP therapy is a purely natural process using the body’s own healing factors.
Are there any exclusion criteria that inhibit someone from receiving PRP?
Blood disease, low platelet count, abnormal platelet function, active systemic infection or active cancer are all contra-indications.
Is PRP covered by insurance?
Consults by a specialist is covered but the PRP itself depends insurance companies.
How long has PRP been around?
In the field of sports medicine, approximately 15 years.
Is PRP new to Dubai? a but what about the rest of the world?
PRP has been widely used in Europe for many years and many professional athletes. It is the subject of DHA guidelines (see below).
Do any scientific studies support PRP therapy?
Yes. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed the effectiveness of PRP therapy in patients with chronic elbow pain. Fifteen patients were treated with PRP therapy. The results documented a 60% improvement at 8 weeks, 81% at 6 months, and 93% at final follow-up (12-38 months). There were no side effects or complications reported. Moreover, an article summarized more than 40 studies that examined the process and promising results shown by PRP therapy. (Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med DO! 10.1007/s12178- 008-9032-5).
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Guidelines, Versions 1. DHA 01/04/2014. Code: DHA/HRS/HPSD/GU-01 Revision Date: 01/02/2019. Includes 10 Bibliographical references.