Doctors and scientists have long been on the hunt for less invasive alternatives to the traditional surgeries required to repair muscles and tendons. In the past several years, a new therapy that uses the platelets in a patient’s own blood has been gaining in popularity. Read on to find out about Platelet Rich Plasma in Westminster CA and how it’s used to treat injuries.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma, sometimes referred to as simply PRP, is, as the name would imply, a therapy that uses injections of platelet-rich blood to affected areas to assist the body with healing. This PRP is formed out of a patient’s own blood using a process using centrifugation, which is able to increase platelet counts to five to ten times their normal number. These platelets contain a large concentration of growth factors, which help the body heal naturally without the need for surgery.
How Does it Work?
Scientific tests have shown that the increased concentration of growth factors platelet-rich plasma contains can help speed up the healing process after an injury, although the exact mechanisms by which this occurs are not currently understood. The PRP can be applied to the injury site in two different ways: it can be injected into the injured area, or it can be used in conjunction with surgery to help speed up recovery time. Only a specialized doctor can decide if treatment using Platelet Rich Plasma in Westminster CA is the right solution for his or her patient’s unique situation.
What Conditions Does it Treat?
The effectiveness of PRP treatments can vary depending on the area of the body that was injured, the overall health of the patient being treated, and whether the injury is chronic or acute. Currently, this therapy is used to treat chronic tendonitis, acute ligament and muscle injuries, knee arthritis, and fractures and is commonly used to assist with healing after surgery.
The Take-Away
Patients should consult their physicians regarding this innovative new therapy if they are interested in finding out whether or not they will be good candidates for platelet-rich plasma treatment. Those who are not yet seeing a specialist can visit Aspirepainmedicalcenter.com for additional information about how to get started. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.