Millions around the world suffer from daily pain from tendinitis, arthritis, and muscle injuries. Many use medications to reduce the pain, but there may be many negative side effects with long-term use of these. Fortunately, at Angelo Mattalino, MD, a better solution exists to repair the problem, not just mask it. This treatment is a PRP injection.
What is a PRP Injection?
PRP is the acronym for platelet-rich plasma. In the blood, plasma is the fluid where cells and nutrients circulate. When you have a cut, you heal by forming a clot. Platelets are the substance in your blood that makes clots. To make platelet-rich plasma, we take a sample of a patient’s blood and then remove the cells in a centrifuge. The end product is a fluid that is rich in protein growth factors and contains around five times the normal platelet concentration. We can then inject this platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, into the patient’s body for health benefits.
Scientists theorize that since these platelets and growth factors heal cuts, they will also heal injuries if injected into the damaged tissues. These are not merely conceptual theories. Studies have shown patients experiencing decreased pain and inflammation from these treatments.
PRP also has a safety benefit. Since we make the treatment from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of rejection as with some other medical procedures. The treatment requires no hospitalization or anesthesia, and there are generally no adverse reactions.
Who Can Benefit from a PRP Injection?
The goal of this treatment is to speed healing. Therefore, people from world-class athletes to adults with certain conditions can benefit from this treatment.
Athletes
Professional athletes often use PRP injection treatments to speed recovery of injuries to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. A study published in 2014 found that athletes suffering from chronic patellar tendinopathy, AKA jumper’s knee, found relief from this treatment.
Arthritis
Patients with arthritis and chronic pain may find relief from this treatment. Inflammation also can decrease from the use of this treatment.
Chronic Pain
We can also use PRP to treat chronic pain of the knee, shoulder, elbow, and other areas.
Learn More About PRP
For further information about PRP injections, consult our doctor at Angelo Mattalino, MD. Find out if your life can be free of pain with a PRP injection treatment. Contact us today to book an appointment at our office in Tempe, AZ. We look forward to hearing from you!