Platelet rich plasma (or simply, PRP) is a product that is obtained from blood and used in the management of various conditions. Its main property is that it hastens the process of tissue healing when injected into a given site. If they intend on making use of prp therapy Portland patients should ensure they learn some important facts first.
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.
The procedure itself is quite simple and takes less than one hour on average. The first thing that is done is collection of blood from a vein into a small tube. This is whole blood that contains cells as well as the plasma. It has to undergo gentrification so as to separate the various components. The cells settle at the bottom and the plasma and platelets float. These can be drawn by a needle and injected directly into the disease area.
One of the areas where this treatment has been widely used is in the management of osteoarthritis. This is a chronic condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, pain and deformities. It is chronic and quite difficult to treat. Drugs that are used often provide relief just temporarily. This is perhaps the main reason as to why this promising treatment has found a place here.
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.
One of the less common applications of this form of therapy is in the management of hair loss. Male pattern of baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia) is the form of hair loss that has been shown to be most responsive to the treatment. Other conditions that may be managed in this fashion include hamstring tears, rotator cuff tears and chronic plantar fasciitis among others.
Any treatment has a potential for side effects. This treatment is no exception. Possible complications that may be encountered albeit rarely are tissue injuries, infections, pain and damage to nerves. There is a need to have a discussion on the likelihood of having these complications before the treatment is given. The doctor should explain the precautions that will be undertaken to avoid them.
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.
The procedure itself is quite simple and takes less than one hour on average. The first thing that is done is collection of blood from a vein into a small tube. This is whole blood that contains cells as well as the plasma. It has to undergo gentrification so as to separate the various components. The cells settle at the bottom and the plasma and platelets float. These can be drawn by a needle and injected directly into the disease area.
One of the areas where this treatment has been widely used is in the management of osteoarthritis. This is a chronic condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, pain and deformities. It is chronic and quite difficult to treat. Drugs that are used often provide relief just temporarily. This is perhaps the main reason as to why this promising treatment has found a place here.
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.
One of the less common applications of this form of therapy is in the management of hair loss. Male pattern of baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia) is the form of hair loss that has been shown to be most responsive to the treatment. Other conditions that may be managed in this fashion include hamstring tears, rotator cuff tears and chronic plantar fasciitis among others.
Any treatment has a potential for side effects. This treatment is no exception. Possible complications that may be encountered albeit rarely are tissue injuries, infections, pain and damage to nerves. There is a need to have a discussion on the likelihood of having these complications before the treatment is given. The doctor should explain the precautions that will be undertaken to avoid them.
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.
About the Author:
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.