Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) has been used to effectively heal a variety of injuries to the body for years. As this type of therapy advances, professionals are finding more uses for PRP. The platelets found within the blood plasma are important for their ability to clot blood and obtain growth factors that are found within proteins in the blood. These growth factors play a vital part in the healing process of the body. When platelets are concentrated in the plasma, it can be injected into damaged tissue to speed up the healing process. This therapy has the potential to heal complicated sports injuries.
Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “Tennis Elbow,” has been known to be effectively treated by PRP. This condition occurs when tendons in the forearm are inflamed due to overuse and stress. Because these tendons receive little blood, they are especially slow to heal, according to Center of Orthopedic & Sports Medicine. PRP injections address the pain of tennis elbow and initiate healing.
Knee Injuries
Since the early 2000’s, medical professionals have been researching how PRP can improve knee injuries and conditions such as osteoporosis. This common knee condition will affect nearly half of Americans within their lifetimes. According to Arthritis Health, knees treated with one or two PRP injections saw a reduction in pain and stiffness as well as improvement in knee function at six weeks and three months. PRP has also helped reduce pain with ACL and MCL knee tears.
Jumper’s Heel
Heel pain can be a result of deterioration of the plantar fascia, which occurs as a result of repetitive stress to the foot. This common sports injury can be treated with PRP. According to Podiatry Today, 80 percent of patients with plantar fasciosis improve to the point of having minimal to no pain following two consecutive PRP injections spaced one month apart.
If you are interested in PRP therapy for speeding up the healing time of an injury, visit the KC Wellness website or call (816) 214-5276.