Do you suffer from chronic joint pain? Does an old orthopedic injury still
cause nagging discomfort? You’ve probably tried traditional treatments
like rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications in the past, only to
be met with short-lived relief. However, there are treatments available
like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can help enhance the body’s
ability to heal and rebuild itself, potentially resulting in long-lasting
pain relief.
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a type of regenerative therapy
that helps boost the healing process using your own concentrated growth
factors to stimulate tissue repair.
PRP is prepared by drawing a blood sample and isolating the portion of
the blood highest in growth factors. The prepared solution is then injected
under ultrasound guidance directly at the point of injury. These growth
factors stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body
produces, expediting the healing process.
“This is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure done in our outpatient
office,” says Dr. Jessica Urzen of the
Catawba Valley Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic. “You’re in and out in about 60 minutes and no hospital stay
is involved.”
What’s the recovery time?
“Because the PRP injection triggers an inflammatory healing process,
you could experience some soreness afterward,” explains Dr. Urzen.
“For a few days after the procedure, it may feel like you’ve
re-injured the area or pulled a muscle, and symptoms may return to baseline
for a couple of weeks before you start to see improvements; this process
usually takes 4-6 weeks.”
Who would benefit from PRP therapy?
“This might be an option for anyone with long-term chronic muscle,
tendon, joint, and ligament-related injuries who are looking for non-surgical
treatment options and who have not responded to conservative treatment,”
says Dr. Urzen. “They must also meet certain criteria when evaluated
under ultrasound, all of which is done in our office during your initial
evaluation.”
Some common conditions treated with PRP include the following:
- Acute and chronic tendon injuries such as jumper’s knee, rotator
cuff insufficiency, and tennis or golfer's elbow
- Acute and chronic ligament injuries such as ankle sprains, partial MCL/LCL
tears in the knee, and ulnar collateral ligament laxity in the elbow.
- Knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, hand, and foot arthritis
Is a doctor’s referral required to make an appointment?
“A doctor’s referral is not required,” said Dr. Urzen.
“Just call our office and we can discuss next steps and answer questions
you may have.”
At
Catawba Valley Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (CVPM&R), Dr. Urzen provides specialized care using minimally invasive
procedures that focus on repairing injuries and optimizing patient function.
You can call CVPM&R at 828.732.7249 or visit us
online to schedule a new patient appointment.
*Regenerative therapies are not currently covered by insurance. Please
call Catawba Valley Physical Medicine and Rehab for pricing and additional
information.