Video transcription
If you have arthritis in your knee, platelet rich plasma therapy may help. It uses parts of your own blood to help your body heal itself. PRP can help your knee feel better and work better. The process begins with a sample of your blood. It is spun around in a centrifuge. This separates it into platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells. The platelets are then concentrated and mixed with some of the plasma. This mixture is called “platelet rich plasma.”
The doctor injects this into your damaged tissues. Your immune system (the system that keeps your body healthy) reacts quickly. Special white blood cells called “macrophages” rush in. They take away damaged cells. They help prep the site for healing. Then, stem cells and other cells begin to multiply. Over time, they repair and rebuild damaged tissues. After the injection, you can go home. You may need to come back for more injections as you heal.
Understanding arthritis and joint pain
When our joints are healthy, we tackle the daily tasks of life with ease. For the 50 million Americans with arthritis, simple activities like opening jars, playing sports, and even taking an evening stroll can become discouraging as affected joints become painful to use.
Arthritis is a disease characterized by the breakdown of the joint cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. As the cartilage deteriorates, bone begins to rub against bone, making movement painful. This disease can also damage ligaments and muscles.
Orthobiologics as an alternative to knee or hip replacements
Many people with arthritis fear that a joint replacement or surgery is their only option. Orthobiologics, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma injections and stem cell therapy for arthritis, has shown great promise for arthritis treatment as an alternative to surgery. Historically, injections only lubricated the joint, but now these innovative procedures can dynamically change the environment within an arthritic joint or tissue injury, helping the body to heal the cartilage itself and reduce inflammation on a long-term basis.
Video transcription
If you have arthritis in your hip, platelet rich plasma therapy may help. It uses parts of your own blood to help your body heal itself. PRP can help your hip feel better and work better.The process begins with a sample of your blood. It is spun around in a centrifuge. This separates it into platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells. The platelets are then concentrated and mixed with some of the plasma. This mixture is called “platelet rich plasma.”
The doctor injects this into your damaged tissues.Your immune system (the system that keeps your body healthy) reacts quickly. Special white blood cells called “macrophages” rush in. They take away damaged cells. They help prep the site for healing. Then, stem cells and other cells begin to multiply. Over time, they repair and rebuild damaged tissues.
After the injection, you can go home. You may need to come back for more injections as you heal.
