Regenerative Medicine Q & A
What is PRP?
PRP contains plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) together with a high concentration of platelets, specialized cells that live in your bloodstream.
Dr. Pang obtains autologous PRP in the office by taking a sample of your blood and processing it in a state-of-the-art centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the blood components, allowing Dr. Pang to draw off the highly-concentrated platelets and plasma for your injection.
How do PRP injections ease pain and promote healing?
Any time you suffer tissue damage due to an injury or disease, the platelets in your bloodstream automatically respond. They go to the damaged tissues, stop the bleeding, and release proteins called growth factors.
Growth factors have an essential role in healing. They activate the healing response by triggering cellular actions that:
- Regulate inflammation
- Accelerate healing
- Attract stem cells to the area
- Stimulate new blood vessel growth
- Build a matrix to support new tissue growth
Your body’s natural stem cells regenerate new cells that rebuild all of the injured tissues.
When you get a PRP injection, the highly-concentrated platelets immediately go to work and trigger all of the same healing reactions.
When would I need PRP injections?
You may need PRP injections when you have a severe injury that overwhelms your body’s normal healing response. Dr. Pang often recommends PRP for joints or when the injured tissues don’t have a good blood supply, such as ligaments and tendons.
As you get older, your immune system, cellular communication, and healing response tend to slow down. A PRP injection can give your natural systems the boost they need.
Dr. Pang uses PRP injections to treat a range of conditions affecting your joints and spine, such as:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon injuries, such as the rotator cuff tendons and tennis elbow
- Ligament injuries
- Meniscus tears
- Tendonitis
PRP generally offers a safe and effective way to relieve chronic pain. Healing the damaged tissues is the best way possible to eliminate your pain.
What should I expect during a PRP injection?
Dr. Pang numbs the injection site with a local anesthetic. Then he uses ultrasound to view the tissues and guide the needle. After placing the needle at the damaged tissues, he injects your PRP.
You may have some discomfort at the injection site, but it shouldn’t last long. You may utilize lidocaine patches or Tylenol (acetaminophen) if there is pain. Try to avoid icing or utilizing anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks. Dr. Pang may ask you to avoid certain activities for two weeks as well. The goal is to take stress off the joint or spine so that the tissues have time to heal.
To learn if PRP injections can help your ongoing joint or spine pain, call the Edward K. Pang Medical Corporation or book an appointment online today.