Thursday, May 19, 2016

Important Aspects Relating To Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

By Robert Johnson


Platelets are cellular structures found in blood and involved in the process of tissue healing and repair. Platelet rich plasma (or PRP) is blood plasma augmented with platelets. This mixture also contains growth factors and chemicals known as cytokines. The use of PRP has been adopted in many medical fields including cosmetic surgery, pain management and dentistry among others. In this article we will look at how platelet rich plasma therapy is used in Vaughan.

The PRP will be prepared from your own blood. Once the whole blood has been drawn, it is put in a centrifuge so as to separate the white and red blood cells from the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP is then activated through the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride. There are a number of other important factors in the PRP that include interleukin 8, connective tissue growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and fibroblast growth factor among others.

PRP is usually injected directly in the affected area under ultrasound guidance. This ensures that it is accurate as possible especially when dealing with enclosed spaces such as joints. Some of the conditions that may be managed using this form of treatment include ligament sprains, pelvic pain, rotator cuff tears, ankle sprains, osteoarthritis and cardiac muscle injuries among others. The treatment may be administered on its own or alongside other therapies.

Among the most modern application is the use of the treatment in managing sporting injuries particularly in contact sports. PRP therapy has ensured that athletes remain on the sidelines for a shorter period of time than before when they suffer from connective tissue injuries. Although there were concerns initially that this treatment was breaching anti-doping laws, no obvious competitive advantage has been found.

The procedure is usually done in a few hours. It can be safely performed in an outpatient clinic since there is no need of anesthesia. Improvements will be noted on the same day and one can resume their regular activities immediately. The number of injections that are needed vary depending on the condition that is being managed and its severity. On average one to three injections are administered in six months.

Rarely, injections may be followed up by pain in the area in which they are administered. This normally resolves within a couple of days but may persist in a small proportion of people. The pain is likely to be experienced by persons in whom injections take place into tendons. The presence of the plasma in the tendons irritates an already diseased tendon. In such cases, the pain will resolve after some weeks.

Although PRP therapy can be given to virtually anyone, there are situations in which its use is not recommended. If you are a heavy smoker, the general recommendation is that you should stop for some time as administering the treatment may aggravate your problem. Medical conditions that make the treatment potentially harmful include, among others, thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, chronic skin diseases, sepsis and low levels of fibrinogen.

Platelet rich plasma treatment is a treatment that has continued to grow tremendously in recent times. It is one of the most natural and safest treatments that exist and quite effective for chronic conditions at the same time. Ongoing research suggests that this is going to be one of the main treatments of the future. If you feel that the treatment will be beneficial in your case, talk to your doctor so that your suitability as a candidate can be assessed.




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