Gone are the days when patients who sustained sports injuries were stuck between two undesirable treatment options: medications and surgery. The dawn of regenerative medicine has completely shaken up the way sports injuries are treated. Regenerative approaches, such as platelet-rich plasma PRP injections, hold the promise of harnessing the body’s own healing mechanisms to restore damaged tissues—which is good news to those wanting to recover from their injury the natural way.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a non-surgical procedure in which the doctor draws the patient’s blood, processes it in a centrifuge, and then injects it into the injured area to stimulate healing and tissue regeneration.
In this article, we will explore the uses of PRP injections and their effectiveness, as reported by patients and based on the results of a number of studies.
Clinical Applications of PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is becoming an increasingly preferred nonoperative treatment option for a broad spectrum of medical conditions and sports injuries.
Orthopedic doctors and sports medicine specialists use PRP injections to treat musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, such as tendonitis, arthritis, ligament sprains, and tears.
Moreover, dermatologists utilize PRP injections for the treatment of aesthetic skin problems, such as acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles, among others.
Hair loss experts provide PRP injections in conjunction with stem cell therapy to address male- and female-pattern baldness.
Their Effectiveness
Whether used as a standalone treatment or as a part of a larger treatment plan, platelet-rich plasma injections have shown to provide beneficial effects. Specifically, patients with orthopedic conditions report reduced pain, increased range of motion, and improved function.
One study analyzed the effectiveness of PRP therapy among recreational sports athletes. These test subjects sustained muscle injuries, the severity of which was determined through ultrasound imaging. Subjects reported significant pain relief and improved muscle strength. Imaging tests after the treatment showed improvement in the injury site. In terms of long-term effects, the same study found only one case of relapse a year after PRP treatment. Researchers are also venturing into assessing how physiotherapy can improve the effects of PRP injections.
Because PRP injections are derived from your own blood, there is less risk of a negative immune response and other side effects. However, many studies on PRP injections have relatively fewer test subjects. All in all, PRP is relatively new biotechnology and may greatly benefit from further research.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Dallas, TX
If you’re looking to recover from your sports injury in a safe and natural way, consult one of our sports medicine specialists here at Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. We offer a wide array of effective, non-surgical treatment methods—such as PRP injections, shockwave therapy, and stem cell therapy—to help you get back in the game in no time.
To learn more about PRP injections or our other regenerative therapies or to schedule a consultation with one of our sports medicine specialists, call our friendly staff at (972) 503-7272. You may also use our secure appointment request form. We are here to help you achieve your full athletic potential!
