Platelet-Rich-Plasma or PRP is derived from a patient’s own blood. This form of Regenerative Medicine therapy uses the body’s own natural growth factors to heal damaged or injured tissue. This treatment has been used for years to help treat professional athletes and get them back to the game without having to undergo
surgery.
In the past few years, doctors have been trained and educated on the science of Regenerative Medicine and are now able to offer these cutting-edge treatments to all patients.
PRP works to use the natural growth factors that are harvested from a patient’s own blood. The blood is spun down in a special machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates all of the white blood cells from the red blood cells. The white blood cells contain growth factors, anti-inflammatory mediators, and platelets. Once the PRP is harvested it is then injected into the area that is injured or damaged.
What is important to know is that there are many factors that go into the quality of the Platelet-Rich-Plasma and how effective it can be in treating a patient’s pain and healing their injury. In this article, I will go over ways to ensure you are able to create and receive quality PRP to achieve optimal results.
What is PRP used for?
Platelet Rich Plasma is used to treat and heal injuries in the body that are causing chronic and acute pain. Your plasma is full of different growth factors, platelets, and anti- inflammatory mediators to help regenerate damaged or injured tissue.
Here are some signs to look for in order to determine if you’re a candidate for a PRP treatment:
• You’re unable to perform daily activities because of joint or tendon pain.
• Surgical treatment is not desired
• You want to take a more natural approach to heal your injury
• You want to strengthen current joints and ligaments before a problem or injury occurs.
How to Optimize your PRP
Platelet-Rich-Plasma is created individually. Each person will create different quality PRP based on their pre-procedure regimen. When a PRP treatment is performed you want to make sure you receive the best quality Platelet-Rich-Plasma. The better the quality, the better the chances that you will see positive results.
Here are some things you can do at home to help optimize your Platelet-Rich-Plasma:
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet 1 week-1 month prior to the procedure.
• Limit your alcohol use 1 month prior.
• No alcohol for 1 week prior to the treatment.
• Fast the day of the procedure
• Drink plenty of water 72 hours prior. (Aim to get about 64 oz a day.)
• Limit sugar and processed foods
By following these guidelines you will limit the inflammation in the body that can have a negative effect on the quality of the Platelet-Rich-Plasma. When you follow an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and diet before the procedure, this will also ensure a large blood draw. The larger the blood draw, the more platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory mediators to help optimize the success of the treatment.
Why it’s important to do your research before deciding on a clinic or practitioner to do your PRP treatment.
It seems like everywhere I look medical professionals are offering PRP treatments to their patients. Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Chiropractors. Of course, each of these practitioners are trained in medicine, but there is a level of training that one must obtain to be successful at administering regenerative medicine therapies. Each individual has had a different amount of training and also uses different types of regenerative medicine products. There is a significant difference in the quality of the products and devices that are used for regenerative medicine.
For example, a centrifuge is a machine that is used to spin down a patient’s blood. Some centrifuges on the market are made to do a very small blood draw, while others such as Apex Biologix, are made to do larger blood draws. As we have gone over, the larger the blood draw the better chances of success a patient will have at actually healing.
It’s important to do your research before deciding on where to get your PRP treatment done. Finding a more cost-effective option may not always be better. When medical practitioners offer discounts on these types of treatments they are more than likely using machines and products that are less quality and more cost-effective for them. With these types of treatments, you only want the best machines and products to create the best results.
You also want to make sure that the practitioner who is doing the regenerative medicine treatment has been fully trained not only in doing PRP injections but also in ultrasound. PRP injections should always be done using the guidance of an ultrasound machine. Your practitioner will actually do a full exam using the ultrasound machine before deciding what your treatment plan is.
Finally
Research is key! Regenerative medicine therapies are not covered by insurance and are an out-of-pocket expense. You want to make sure you receive the best treatment possible. For more information on what regenerative medicine therapies we offer, visit our website to find out more information.
Here’s to good health and less pain,
Dr. Goyle
