In my last article, I talked about hyaluronic acid injections, and their benefits for knee arthritis. If you didn’t read that article, I write two per month. You can see them all on the Sonoran News website under Features. I also asked all of you to promise me one thing. Ask what is in the injection. I am finding that more and more patients do not know what they were even injected with. Some have had hyaluronic acid injected, while thinking it was stem cells! If the names of the products are confusing, just have the practitioner write it down for you. Put it in your wallet or in your phone, so when you go to another office like mine, we’ll know exactly what you’ve had done before requesting records from the other office.
I’ve mainly written this 3 part series on joint injections to educate the community on the options out there for joint pain. Many patients have not been given options, and their doctor has told them there is nothing left they can do for them. The patient is now left with no hope. My purpose is to give is to give people hope when they feel they have lost it. Just because a doctor’s office or facility does not offer a specific option, does not mean it’s not out there for you. Just please be open to do your research, and ask as many questions as you need to. I always include my email address and office phone number at the end of my articles for that purpose.
The second part of this series of articles is about Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP. Platelets are most famous for their ability to prevent us from bleeding to death when we get a cut. The platelets in our blood help to clot so it doesn’t keep bleeding out. Regenerative messages are also sent to our skin and other places to scar up and seal it in. Platelets are wonderful things that we are born with for this purpose. We have the most platelets in our lifetime when we are first born. As we age, the numbers go down, but of course, they are still in there doing their job. Platelets can be drawn out in a simple blood draw into a special test tube designed for extracting the most platelets as possible from the blood sample. The blood is then spun down in a special centrifuge.
These centrifuges are different from the regular ones used for general blood testing. The red cells are then separated, and the plasma, or yellowish fluid left, is used for PRP treatments. This plasma is then used in many different ways to help to promote the regeneration of different tissue. One way is for aesthetics. We can inject this plasma into the skin where there is a deficiency of collagen and help the skin to look younger and tighter by rebuilding the collagen. It can also be used in conjunction with other therapies like micro needling. For joint pain due to tears in ligaments, tendons, and lack of cartilage, trigger points and more, plasma is injected to help rebuild these areas so the joint or muscle can restore function. It’s a great way to help get yourself back to walking, running, hiking and just doing simple things with less pain and more function. The procedure is not very invasive, as it’s only an injection of your own plasma. No chemicals, foreign substances to be allergic to, surgery or implants.
We recommend you stay off anti inflammatories for a period of time, as the plasma actually makes a bit of inflammation to signal the body that there is something to repair. If you reduce inflammation during this time, it will cause the process and results to be greatly diminished. Most patients are back to their daily activities with no down time. You can even drive yourself to and from the office for the procedure!
There are no pain medications or anesthesia used. Maybe only some analgesic cream applied to the injection site if you’re sensitive to injections. This is a simple, yet effective way to get jour joints working gain.
I’m hoping that this article has helped you to understand the second part of my series on joint pain and treatment alternatives to drugs and surgery. If you or anyone you know is interested in PRP treatments, please call my office for a complimentary consultation. In my next article, I’ll talk about a third alternative for you.
For any questions on my articles, please email me at [email protected]
Leisa-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N. Pima Rd. Ste. # 115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-584-3955
