Saturday, May 14, 2016

Basics Relating To Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

By Robert Johnson


Platelets are cellular structures found in blood and involved in the process of tissue healing and repair. Platelet rich plasma (or PRP) is blood plasma augmented with platelets. This mixture also contains growth factors and chemicals known as cytokines. The use of PRP has been adopted in many medical fields including cosmetic surgery, pain management and dentistry among others. In this article we will look at how platelet rich plasma therapy is used in Vaughan.

The PRP will be prepared from your own blood. Once the whole blood has been drawn, it is put in a centrifuge so as to separate the white and red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP is then activated through the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride. There are a number of other important factors in the PRP that include interleukin 8, connective tissue growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and fibroblast growth factor among others.

The PRP is injected directly into the area of interest under the guidance of ultrasound to increase the accuracy. Examples of conditions that have been managed successfully using the therapy include osteoarthritis, ankle sprains, rotator cuff tears, tendinitis, ligament sprains, pelvic pain, cardiac muscle injuries and plantar fasciitis among others. The PRP therapy may be used in isolation or in combination with other modalities depending on the condition that is involved.

One of the most modern applications of this therapy is the use in the treatment of sport related injuries. This use was faced with uncertainty at some point due to fears that it may be breaching anti-doping laws. Extensive research by regularly bodies has not found any likelihood that the therapy gives athletes a competitive advantage which has given it a green light for the time being.

The procedure is usually done in a few hours. It can be safely performed in an outpatient clinic since there is no need of anesthesia. Improvements will be noted on the same day and one can resume their regular activities immediately. The number of injections that are needed vary depending on the condition that is being managed and its severity. On average one to three injections are administered in six months.

Rarely, some people may experience pain at the site of injection. While this may resolve in a few days in most cases, there are individuals who have this problem for weeks. This is likely to be experienced when the injections are done into tendons. Introduction of the PRP may increase the pressure in an area that is already irritated aggravating the problem further. What is important to remember is that this pain eventually abates regardless of how long it takes.

Although PRP therapy can be given to virtually anyone, there are situations in which its use is not recommended. If you are a heavy smoker, the general recommendation is that you should stop for some time as administering the treatment may aggravate your problem. Medical conditions that make the treatment potentially harmful include, among others, thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, chronic skin diseases, sepsis and low levels of fibrinogen.

Platelet rich plasma treatment is a treatment that has continued to grow tremendously in recent times. It is one of the most natural and safest treatments that exist and quite effective for chronic conditions at the same time. Ongoing research suggests that this is going to be one of the main treatments of the future. If you feel that the treatment will be beneficial in your case, talk to your doctor so that your suitability as a candidate can be assessed.




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