Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the ability to support healing and reduce inflammation — especially when it comes to joint pain. While it’s often used for sports injuries, PRP is also a valuable option for people dealing with age-related joint discomfort in the knees, hips, shoulders, and more.
If stiff, achy joints are holding you back, PRP injections could be part of the solution. Here at Healthstone Primary Care in Weston, Davie and Pembroke Pines, Florida, we offer PRP as a powerful tool for helping you manage joint pain, especially in the knees, hips, and shoulders.
Here, our team explains how PRP could be a game-changing solution for your joint pain.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma — a substance derived from your own blood. It contains concentrated platelets and plasma, which are rich in growth factors that stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
To create PRP, our team draws a small amount of your blood and spins it in a centrifuge to separate the components. The end product is a highly concentrated solution of platelets and plasma that we inject directly into the area that needs healing, such as chronically achy joints.
Joint pain in midlife and beyond is often due to osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative condition caused by years of wear and tear. As the cartilage that cushions your joints breaks down, you may feel pain, stiffness, and swelling. Unlike skin or muscle, cartilage doesn’t have a direct blood supply, which makes healing a challenge.
PRP works to support joint health and healing in a few critical ways:
This combination of effects can help slow the progression of arthritis, ease pain and swelling, and improve joint function. All of these benefits of PRP are natural and don’t require surgery.
PRP isn’t a one-size-fits-all therapy. We tailor your treatment plan based on your symptoms, joint health, and lifestyle. PRP can be used on its own or alongside other modalities like physical therapy, bracing, and medication. In some cases, we may recommend a series of injections to get you the best results.
We prepare and inject PRP in our office. It typically takes under an hour, and comes with zero downtime. Some mild soreness is normal in the hours and days following, and we may ask you to limit high-impact activities for a couple of weeks while your body responds to the treatment.
Chronic joint pain can interfere with everything from your favorite workouts to your mood and sleep. PRP therapy offers a safe, minimally invasive option to support healing from the inside out, using your body’s own natural resources.
If you’re ready to explore alternatives to medication or surgery for joint pain, Healthstone Primary Care Partners can help. To learn more about PRP therapy, schedule a visit at your nearest office in Weston, Davie, or Pembroke Pines, Florida, today.
