With new medical advancements rising, PRP therapy is gaining popularity for knee pain treatments. But it is a good option for you. Find out what you can expect from PRP therapy and what can be the reasons this is not the option for your knee treatment in this article.
What to expect from the PRP procedure?
PRP procedure is a type of regenerative medicine technique that heals your damage on a cellular level, however, you shouldn’t expect immediate results. In some cases, you may even develop minor or slightly worsening symptoms such as discomfort or swelling for a short period of time after the procedure. This is completely normal and a sign that the healing process is beginning.
Over the following days, you can expect:
- Reduced pain
- Lower inflammation
- Increased lubrication in the joint.
- Reduce the progression of tissue deterioration.
Advances in PRP procedures
To deliver precise and accurate PRP injection in the wound area, doctors use advanced imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance to ensure optimal placement of PRP to get better treatment outcomes.
Fluoroscopy-Guided PRP Therapy
In this procedure, the doctor uses continuous X-ray beams to visualize the internal structures of your knee joint to administer the PRP injection into the injection site. This technique produces dynamic imaging which allows the monitoring of the injecting process in real-time. It can ensure that the doctor finds the targeted position in the knee joint to deliver PRP precisely into the affected tissues. This advanced imaging technique can produce a clear visualization of bony structures, soft tissues, and joint spaces, and identify the anatomical landmarks and potential areas of pathology within the knee joint.
Ultrasound-Guided PRP Therapy
In this procedure, a doctor uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and synovial structures within the knee joint. It also produces real-time images as the needle enters the knee joint to get precisely injected into the target site while avoiding adjacent structures.
It is also used to identify areas of joint inflammation, synovial hypertrophy, and cartilage degeneration, providing valuable diagnostic information to plan and guide treatment for regenerative medical techniques including PRP injection.
Does PRP prevent knee replacement surgery?
Around 85.7% of patients who take platelet-rich plasma injections either delayed or didn’t need to go from knee replacement during the 5-year follow-up. Research shows PRP can repair cartilage in knee patients. However, the results can vary depending on the type of knee osteoarthritis.
For instance, earlier research shows PRP injection improves knee pain function in patients with osteoarthritis. 60% of patients from stage 2 to stage 4 osteoarthritis had good outcomes with PRP and less knee pain. Another study shows a 70% improvement in knee pain in Grade 1 to 3 patients. While the treatment is effective in delaying knee replacement surgery, still more research is needed to confirm it can be used to prevent knee replacement surgery.
Why is PRP not working for me?
In some cases, PRP may not work for your knee pain, and you may think to not complete the PRP injection treatment course. Remember that you need to complete the entire process to ensure PRP injections work for you. In case even after completing the procedure, you notice no difference in your knee, then there are 2 reasons that PRP doesn’t work for you. One is too much degenerative tissue in your knee and body mass.
PRP doesn’t always work for everyone as PRP methods vary depending on your doctor. Research also points out that PRP ineffectiveness is caused by the way treatment is given and due to poor patient selection. So simply put, it is not for everyone.
PRP therapy can be a good option for your knee pain treatment. It boosts the healing process and triggers tissue regeneration which reduces your inflammation and allows you to use your knee normally. However, it doesn’t work for everyone. So, consult with your doctor first about whether PRP therapy is suitable for you or not. Otherwise, you can also look for different options.
Need help finding the right treatment for your knee pain, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn for proper diagnosis and medical services for your pain issues. 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 contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.