We all know that the body is pretty amazing and it has the ability to heal itself. This is what we use to our advantage when using platelet-rich plasma for healing. It has been discovered that this form of regenerative medicine can improve the body’s healing time.
The difference between Plasma and Platelets
Plasma is the liquid in which the red cells, white cells, and platelets used to circulate throughout the body. For the most part, it is made up of water but does have some proteins in there. It is typically clear to a yellow color when it is extracted from whole blood. The platelets are what’s used by the body to heal. They are in charge of forming blood clots and are called thrombocytes. The platelet plays a very key role in the natural healing of the body.
During a platelet-rich plasma injection, the doctor will use that same patient’s blood. However, they will concentrate on the platelets in the area that they are looking to heal. This type of treatment can be used to heal ligaments, injured tendons, joints, and muscles. These injections help the person’s own body heal itself, which is a pretty amazing task.
Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment Process
The process begins by taking a few vials of your own blood. This blood will then hit the centrifuge. A centrifuge is a device that spins at a very high rate which will separate the plasma and the platelets. They will then take the plasma and platelets and combine them to make the platelet-rich plasma for the injection. This is a very common practice for those that have soft tissue issues such as torn rotator cuffs and Achilles tendon issues.
But it isn’t all about the healing. It helps with the pain and inflammation as well. This elevates the need for inflammation medication as well as pain relievers that could cause other potential risks. There are very few side effects since the injection is created from your own blood. Your body is more likely to accept it and it will go to work almost immediately.
Is PRP treatment effective?
Platelet-rich plasma treatment has been used and has shown to be effective on many patients. It is a fairly new type of treatment that is being done. While some doctors wholeheartedly believe in it, some are a bit skeptical. There are very few risks involved to give it a try and see if it would assist with the pain. Since it is your own blood, you are not putting some foreign substances into your body and it is far less risky than taking multiple medications.
Anti-Aging Institute Can Help
Talk to Dr. Bacha if PRP sounds like something you’d like to try on your healing journey. Dr. Fadi Bacha, can discuss with you what this is in more detail and guide you on what would be best for your situation. Call Anti-Aging Institute at (859) 309-9946 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Bacha today.
