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Not Familiar With PRP Therapy For Pain Relief? Here’s A Review

I’ve written several blogs about the exciting results we’ve seen in patients treated with Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy – as well as in professional  athletes who have entrusted their performance and careers to its healing powers. If you’re unfamiliar with PRP or would like to know more about it, the following is a review of the basics.  I’d also suggest you click on the links in this blog to learn about its many uses, impressive successes, and tremendous potential for pain management.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a safe and non-surgical procedure that relieves acute or chronic pain by promoting the natural healing potential of the body with platelets that are easily taken from your own blood. Blood is made up of red and white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Following an injury, platelets in our bodies are activated and release healing proteins called growth factors, which help to speed up wound and tissue healing. By delivering a higher concentration of these platelets directly into the area in need, the natural healing process is intensified. PRP is a particularly good source of these growth factors because at NJ Pain Care Specialists, we are able to get the PRP from your own blood quickly, easily and safely. There is virtually no risk of a transmissible infection and a low risk of allergic reaction.

At our practice we use PRP to treat ligament and tendon injuries that have failed more traditional therapies, including rotator cuff tears, plantar fasciitis, meniscus tears, osteoarthritis of the spine, hip, knee, or ligament sprains. A growing number of world-class athletes – Stephen Curry, Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, David Ortiz – have turned to PRP for vital pain relief without the risks of surgery and extended recovery. NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who suffers from degeneration inside the knee, had several treatments and talked about his personal experience with PRP therapy and how it helped contribute to his ability to play at a high level into his mid-thirties.

Here’s a description of how our skilled doctors perform the non-invasive, one-hour procedure at NJ Pain Care Specialists:

  • First, we clean and anesthetize the injured area and then take a small sample of your blood. The blood is placed in a centrifuge machine and spun rapidly, separating it into its primary components – platelets, white blood cells, plasma, and red blood cells.
  • After a portion of the plasma is removed, the concentrated platelets are mixed with the remaining plasma to form the platelet-rich solution that is injected into and around the injured tissues.
  • The concentrated platelets trigger a natural immune response as specialized white blood cells (macrophages) rush in to remove damaged cells and prepare the tissue for healing.
  • Stem cells and other cells multiply, repair and rebuild the damaged tissue – an accelerated healing response that reduces pain, promotes increased strength and improves joint function.
  • You will be able to go home the same day. And you can expect full recovery within one week. However, many patients require three to four treatments before the injured tissues are completely healed.
  • A specially-designed exercise program will help your newly developed connective tissue mature into healthy and strong tendons or ligaments – so you can get back to enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle as quickly and happily as possible.

To learn more about what PRP can do for you, and whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment, contact our nearest office soon.

At the present time, PRP Treatments are not covered by medical insurance.

About The Author

Dr. Harris Bram, MD, DABPM

Dr. Harris Bram, MD, DABPM

Dr. Harris Bram is an Interventional Pain Management Specialist in New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His postgraduate training in anesthesia was performed at Hahnemann University Hospital, where he sub-specialized in cardiac anesthesia. He completed his pain management fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

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