Did your doctor recommend platelet-rich plasma therapy for your knee pain? If yes, this article will help you understand what you can expect during and after this procedure. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a new treatment method used to enhance healing and relieve knee injuries. It is also used for tendons, ligament, and muscle injuries. It is made from a mixture of 2 elements: platelets and plasma. Platelet has clotting abilities along with cell reproduction and healing. Whereas plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. When injected directly into the injured area it boosts the healing process and reduces inflammation so that the person can use their injured part. Learn more in detail about the PRP procedure and recovery times in the article.

What to expect during and after the procedure?

Before the procedure, doctors draw blood from a vein (usually from your arm). The blood sample is then put into a machine called a centrifuge which separates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from other components of blood, the doctor collects the platelet-rich plasma into an injection and injects it directly into the injured area.

If your injured area is not visible through the naked eye, then your doctor uses an ultrasound machine to detect the injured area to inject the PRP. During this procedure, a doctor first applies gel on the skin which is placed under the ultrasound device to find the injured area.

The ultrasound machine produces real-time images to help the doctor inject the PRP directly into the injured area. During the procedure, you may experience mild pain during drawing and injecting blood as the needles get inside your vein and damaged area. Some people may also get dizzy when their blood is drawn.

The injection may hurt depending on how sensitive your knee joint is and the precise location of the PRP injection. Relaxing and deep breathing may reduce your pain. The procedure may take around 15 – 20 minutes.

The injection site may feel tender after the injection and some people may develop a bruise, swelling, redness, or a small wound at the injection site. These side effects are temporary and mild, however, if you don’t feel better a few days after your injection and experience pain for several weeks after injection, then you should visit your doctor for consultation.

After the procedure, in the following weeks, you should follow these steps to increase your treatment efficiency:

• Avoid doing any strenuous exercise, especially movements that put pressure on your knee joint.
• Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen because these drugs can interfere with your treatment. People who need pain relief medications should consult their doctors about it.
• You should wear a splint for the first few weeks to stabilize the joint. Some doctors also recommend using crutches to avoid any kind of unnecessary weight on the knee.
• You can use cold compression to reduce swelling and pain. Some people also find alternating hot and cold compression useful and more helpful in managing swelling and pain.
• Elevate your joint area at night by using soft pillows.
• Follow all instructions given by your doctor.

In case your swelling is severe, pain increases, or you develop a subsequent injury such as a fall, then you should immediately contact your doctor. Along with PRP therapy, you can also use physical therapy to restore joint movement, reduce the risk of future injuries, and prevent your condition from worsening.

Most people can start their physical therapy 1 or 2 months after treatment, and you can ask for a physical therapy referral from the doctor who treats you with PRP therapy.

Recovery times

After the injection, recovery takes only 1 to 2 hours, and you can go home if you don’t experience any side effects. After the procedure, your body starts healing you immediately which accelerates recovery. However, overall recovery time can vary.

Most people may recover completely within 4 to 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months). After you hit your 5-week mark, most doctors recommend physical therapy to enhance your long-term healing and restore knee functionality.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a new innovative treatment option for musculoskeletal pain and injuries including knee pain, and arthritis. This therapy can enhance your recovery time and relieve your symptoms. As it is made from your blood it causes fewer side effects. Keep in mind, it’s not for everyone and your recovery time can vary depending on your knee injury. But it can help you recover faster with low to no side effects.

If you need help with a knee injury or conditions that cause pain, then, visit our pain management clinic for professional medical help. Our doctors guide you on how you can manage your wounds naturally and provide regular monitoring services. Your knee pain needs professional assistance, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn today or call to get a consultation. The location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at http://www.painmanagementbrooklyn.com/ or to contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.