PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments have become much famous in the past few years. These treatments are effective for chronic tendon injuries, sprained knees, hair restoration, and cosmetic plastic surgeries. Platelets are the type of blood cells containing growth factors that trigger cell proliferation, stimulate tissue regeneration, and speed healing. Many popular athletes – Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods, and others – have undergone PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment for sports injuries. This treatment has allowed athletes to quickly get back to competition.
Platelet-Rich Plasma has more platelets as compared to ordinary blood. The concentration of growth factors and platelets can be 5-10 times greater than usual. For PRP treatment, blood is first obtained from the patient. Then, platelets are separated by keeping them in higher concentration through a procedure called centrifugation. After that, the platelets are merged with the leftover blood.
How does PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma work?
The increased proportion of growth factors and platelets in PRP can likely accelerate the healing process. For speeding healing, the injured site is injected with platelet-rich plasma preparation. It can be carried out in two ways:
Platelet-rich plasma is injected carefully into the affected area. For instance, in a condition called Achilles tendonitis, the heel cord becomes swollen, painful, and inflamed. The PRP mixture and local anesthetic are directly injected into the swollen tissue. After that, the patient may experience increased pain in the initial two to three weeks before the actual beneficial effect.
For some injuries, patients receive PRP treatment to improve healing once the surgery is done. For instance, a fully-torn heel cord requires surgery for repairing the tendon. Its healing process can be improved by applying PRP mixture to the injured area. In this process, PRP is stitched into the torn tissues.
Once the PRP mixture is injected, platelets are broken down and their growth factors are released, which activate the natural process of tissue renewal and cell proliferation. The entire procedure takes nearly 30 minutes and patients can continue their normal life immediately afterward.
Uses of PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma treatments have proved to be used for several conditions. Some of the commonly treated conditions are listed below.
- Chronic tendon injuries
PRP can help treat chronic tendon injuries, particularly tennis elbow that involves tendons injury of the elbow that comes from tennis racquets. Plus, it can also treat Achilles tendonitis.
- Acute muscle and ligament injuries
PRP can treat acute sports injuries like muscle and ligament injuries. Professional athletes and sportspersons can get their common sports injuries treated with PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma, such as pulled hamstring muscles in the knee and thigh sprains.
- Surgery
PRP mixture has been utilized during certain kinds of surgery to heal tissues. For example, surgery to cure torn knee ligaments and torn rotator cuff tendons.
- Knee arthritis
PRP treatment can also be used for anterior cruciate ligament i.e. repairing torn knee ligament.
- Fractures
The healing of broken-down bones can be accelerated by using PRP.
Where to get Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Florida Sport’s and Family Health Center is a specialized healthcare center in Orlando, Florida that offers PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma. You can rely on FSFHC for your tendon injuries, sprained knees, and surgery.
