Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a derivative of blood that is said to have numerous therapeutic effects. It is more specifically thought to expedite the process of healing whenever various types of tissues are injured. If they intend to benefit from prp therapy Portland patients need to understand a number of things on the treatment beforehand.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is rich in proteins. Some of these proteins are integral to the process of wound healing. Platelets, on the other hand, are blood components that help in clot formation following injury to a blood vessel. This makes them also important in healing following injury. Prp treatment uses your own platelets and plasma.
When you get to the clinic, a phlebotomist will draw a small sample of your blood in a tube. The blood will be placed in a contributing machine which helps in separating the cells from the plasma and platelets. The resultant concentrate of plasma and platelets can be injected directly into an injured area. This procedure is usually carried out in an office or outpatient centre. Resumption of regular routine is immediate.
One of the areas where this treatment has been widely used is in the management of osteoarthritis. This is a chronic condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, pain and deformities. It is chronic and quite difficult to treat. Drugs that are used often provide relief just temporarily. This is perhaps the main reason as to why this promising treatment has found a place here.
Tendon injuries have also been subjected to the treatment with variable results. These kinds of injuries are often sustained by professional athletes. Common examples include the tennis elbow, patellar tendon pain and Achilles tendonitis among others. These injuries tend to take a painfully long time to heal when managed with conventional forms of treatment. This is why any small improvement that may be offered by the prp therapy will be readily embraced.
One of the less common applications of this form of therapy is in the management of hair loss. Male pattern of baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia) is the form of hair loss that has been shown to be most responsive to the treatment. Other conditions that may be managed in this fashion include hamstring tears, rotator cuff tears and chronic plantar fasciitis among others.
Just is the case with many forms of medical interventions, side effects are a possibility when using this form of treatment. These include, among others, nerve injuries, injection site pain and tissue injury. It is important to discuss the risk of suffering this side effects with your doctor prior to the administration of the injection. The doctor should explain the steps that will be taken to minimize the side effects.
The quality of scientific evidence to support the routine use of prp in medical practice is still weak. There is a tremendous amount of research work that is still on going in this area and the future looks quite promising. There are a number of world famous athletes who have given this form of treatment a try already. Because of the controversies still surrounding the treatment many insurance companies do not include it in their medical covers.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is rich in proteins. Some of these proteins are integral to the process of wound healing. Platelets, on the other hand, are blood components that help in clot formation following injury to a blood vessel. This makes them also important in healing following injury. Prp treatment uses your own platelets and plasma.
When you get to the clinic, a phlebotomist will draw a small sample of your blood in a tube. The blood will be placed in a contributing machine which helps in separating the cells from the plasma and platelets. The resultant concentrate of plasma and platelets can be injected directly into an injured area. This procedure is usually carried out in an office or outpatient centre. Resumption of regular routine is immediate.
One of the areas where this treatment has been widely used is in the management of osteoarthritis. This is a chronic condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, pain and deformities. It is chronic and quite difficult to treat. Drugs that are used often provide relief just temporarily. This is perhaps the main reason as to why this promising treatment has found a place here.
Tendon injuries have also been subjected to the treatment with variable results. These kinds of injuries are often sustained by professional athletes. Common examples include the tennis elbow, patellar tendon pain and Achilles tendonitis among others. These injuries tend to take a painfully long time to heal when managed with conventional forms of treatment. This is why any small improvement that may be offered by the prp therapy will be readily embraced.
One of the less common applications of this form of therapy is in the management of hair loss. Male pattern of baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia) is the form of hair loss that has been shown to be most responsive to the treatment. Other conditions that may be managed in this fashion include hamstring tears, rotator cuff tears and chronic plantar fasciitis among others.
Just is the case with many forms of medical interventions, side effects are a possibility when using this form of treatment. These include, among others, nerve injuries, injection site pain and tissue injury. It is important to discuss the risk of suffering this side effects with your doctor prior to the administration of the injection. The doctor should explain the steps that will be taken to minimize the side effects.
The quality of scientific evidence to support the routine use of prp in medical practice is still weak. There is a tremendous amount of research work that is still on going in this area and the future looks quite promising. There are a number of world famous athletes who have given this form of treatment a try already. Because of the controversies still surrounding the treatment many insurance companies do not include it in their medical covers.
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Find out how to get the PRP therapy Portland locals rely on by visiting our web pages now. To know more about our options in orthopedic, sports and regenerative medicine, click the links at http://www.esomc.com/treatments/platelet-rich-plasma-therapy today.