Platelet rich plasma (or PRP) is a form of therapy prepared from blood. The treatment is claimed to be beneficial in promoting faster healing of injuries and providing pain relief in the process. There are a number of things on prp therapy Portland residents need to know if they intend to use this form of treatment.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is rich in proteins. Some of these proteins are integral to the process of wound healing. Platelets, on the other hand, are blood components that help in clot formation following injury to a blood vessel. This makes them also important in healing following injury. Prp treatment uses your own platelets and plasma.
When you get to the clinic, a phlebotomist will draw a small sample of your blood in a tube. The blood will be placed in a contributing machine which helps in separating the cells from the plasma and platelets. The resultant concentrate of plasma and platelets can be injected directly into an injured area. This procedure is usually carried out in an office or outpatient centre. Resumption of regular routine is immediate.
Osteoarthritis is among the conditions for which this therapy is being used. It is a degenerative joint disease seen mostly among persons in their fourth decade of life. It is characterized by pain, deformity and stiffness. It is chronic in nature and quite difficult to manage. It is not uncommon for the prescribed pain relievers to fail. This is why this therapy has gained acceptance rather easily.
Tendon injuries have also been subjected to the treatment with variable results. These kinds of injuries are often sustained by professional athletes. Common examples include the tennis elbow, patellar tendon pain and Achilles tendonitis among others. These injuries tend to take a painfully long time to heal when managed with conventional forms of treatment. This is why any small improvement that may be offered by the prp therapy will be readily embraced.
Some researchers claim that prp is effective in reversing hair loss. One of the groups that have been studied is that of persons with male pattern baldness. The main concern is that the numbers that have been studied are quite small. Other conditions that may be treated similarly include rotator cuff injuries, chronic plantar fasciitis and hamstring tears.
There are several side effects that one should anticipate through they are quite rare. Many of them are due to the invasive nature of the treatment. They include infections at the injection site, pain, injuries to nerves and injury to tissues. The risk of suffering these side effects is individualized and should be a subject of discussion between the doctor and the patient before the treatment is administered.
The quality of scientific evidence to support the routine use of prp in medical practice is still weak. There is a tremendous amount of research work that is still on going in this area and the future looks quite promising. There are a number of world famous athletes who have given this form of treatment a try already. Because of the controversies still surrounding the treatment many insurance companies do not include it in their medical covers.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is rich in proteins. Some of these proteins are integral to the process of wound healing. Platelets, on the other hand, are blood components that help in clot formation following injury to a blood vessel. This makes them also important in healing following injury. Prp treatment uses your own platelets and plasma.
When you get to the clinic, a phlebotomist will draw a small sample of your blood in a tube. The blood will be placed in a contributing machine which helps in separating the cells from the plasma and platelets. The resultant concentrate of plasma and platelets can be injected directly into an injured area. This procedure is usually carried out in an office or outpatient centre. Resumption of regular routine is immediate.
Osteoarthritis is among the conditions for which this therapy is being used. It is a degenerative joint disease seen mostly among persons in their fourth decade of life. It is characterized by pain, deformity and stiffness. It is chronic in nature and quite difficult to manage. It is not uncommon for the prescribed pain relievers to fail. This is why this therapy has gained acceptance rather easily.
Tendon injuries have also been subjected to the treatment with variable results. These kinds of injuries are often sustained by professional athletes. Common examples include the tennis elbow, patellar tendon pain and Achilles tendonitis among others. These injuries tend to take a painfully long time to heal when managed with conventional forms of treatment. This is why any small improvement that may be offered by the prp therapy will be readily embraced.
Some researchers claim that prp is effective in reversing hair loss. One of the groups that have been studied is that of persons with male pattern baldness. The main concern is that the numbers that have been studied are quite small. Other conditions that may be treated similarly include rotator cuff injuries, chronic plantar fasciitis and hamstring tears.
There are several side effects that one should anticipate through they are quite rare. Many of them are due to the invasive nature of the treatment. They include infections at the injection site, pain, injuries to nerves and injury to tissues. The risk of suffering these side effects is individualized and should be a subject of discussion between the doctor and the patient before the treatment is administered.
The quality of scientific evidence to support the routine use of prp in medical practice is still weak. There is a tremendous amount of research work that is still on going in this area and the future looks quite promising. There are a number of world famous athletes who have given this form of treatment a try already. Because of the controversies still surrounding the treatment many insurance companies do not include it in their medical covers.
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Find out how to get the PRP therapy Portland locals rely on by visiting our web pages now. To know more about our options in orthopedic, sports and regenerative medicine, click the links at http://www.esomc.com/treatments/platelet-rich-plasma-therapy today.
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