Pain Therapy Injections: Platelet-Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a form of regenerative medicine that, when injected into a muscle or joint, can decrease pain and inflammation and promote healing.

Various injections have been used over the years to treat musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. PRP is unique because it uses components of the individual’s blood to promote cellular regeneration. PRP therapy involves extracting platelets, growth factors, and other proteins from the person’s own blood and reinjecting them into the painful joint. This can provide long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function.

How does PRP work?

Platelet-rich plasma contains over 300 growth factors and cytokines involved in cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, extracellular matrix synthesis, and inflammation modulation. When administered to a painful or inflamed joint, these bioactive components can enhance the body’s innate healing processes and offer regenerative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

What do PRP injections treat?

PRP injections stimulate healthy cellular growth, mitigate inflammation, promote tissue repair, facilitate angiogenesis, rejuvenate skin and hair, and expedite recovery following traumatic injuries. When injected into painful or inflamed joints, they can decrease pain by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration.

PRP injections are used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA)
  • Ligament injuries
  • Meniscus injuries
  • Muscle injuries
  • Tendinopathy
  • Spine disorders
  • Chronic back pain
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Research has demonstrated that PRP has better long-term results for knee pain due to osteoarthritis and low back pain due to spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy when compared with steroid injections.

How often are PRP injections given?

The frequency of PRP injections depends on the condition being treated and the patient’s response to the therapy. Regenerative therapy is generally well tolerated, and specific treatment plans are tailored to the individual’s needs.

What are the potential complications of PRP?

Because PRP therapy uses the person’s own blood, side effects are rare.

People have reported mild symptoms, such as:

  • Injection site swelling
  • Pain or soreness
  • Stiffness

On rare occasions, more serious complications have been reported, such as:

  • Tissue damage
  • Nerve injuries
  • Bleeding
  • Infection

Are there any contraindications for PRP therapy?

In general, regenerative medicine is contraindicated if the patient has an active infection or a blood clotting disorder.

For PRP specifically, absolute contraindications include:

  • Critical thrombocytopenia
  • Platelet dysfunction syndrome
  • Hemodynamic instability

Conclusion

Platelet-rich plasma is a potent method of pain control and tissue regeneration. One major benefit is that because it is derived from the patient’s own blood, the risk of allergic reaction, rejection, or side effects is low.

How does PRP compare with other injection therapies for pain control? Check out our Summary and Comparison Chart.


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