What You Should Know About PRP
Platelet-rich plasma, also PRP, is a substance that promotes natural healing when injected into the body. Plasma is one of the main components of your blood that consists of special proteins that support cell growth and help your blood clot. Recently, researchers came up with a means of producing PRP by isolating plasma from the blood and concentrating it. This is done to help people with damaged tissues grow new and healthy cells that stimulate healing. In this post, we explore all you need to know about Santa Monica PRP treatments.
Conditions That Benefit From PRP Injections
Since tissue growth factors are more concentrated in the PRP injections, researchers surmise that the body tissue will heal much quicker. Many hospitals are now administering PRP injections to patients with some of the following health conditions:
1. Osteoarthritis
According to a 2015 study, it was proven that PRP injections were more effective than hyaluronic injections for treating patients with osteoarthritis.
2. Tendon Injuries
Over the years, doctors have utilized PRP injections to resolve chronic tendon problems, like Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, tennis elbow, and pain in the patellar tendon.
3. Hair Loss
A 2014 research proved that PRP injections into the scalp were significantly effective in promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss, which is caused by a condition known as androgenic alopecia.
4. Post-Surgery Healing
In some cases, doctors make use of PRP injections to repair ligaments such as the anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, or damaged tendons such as a rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder after surgery.
5. Acute Injuries
Doctors use PRP injections to treat acute sports injuries, such as knee strains or pulled hamstring muscles.
PRP Injection Process
According to Emory Healthcare, the PRP injection process typically takes up to an hour. Your doctor will draw a certain amount of your blood sample during the procedure, depending on the PRP injection site. The blood sample will be placed into a centrifuge and, in about 15 minutes, the blood components will separate. Finally, a technologist will take the isolated plasma and prepare it for injection into your affected region. Sometimes healthcare providers opt to use imaging to easily identify specific injection areas, like the tendon.
Preparing for PRP Injections
PRP injections are usually administered in different ways. For example, your doctor may combine a local anesthetic with your PRP injection to help you be more comfortable during the surgery. In such a case, you will be required to follow your doctor’s recommendation before surgery. Other times, a topical lidocaine solution is applied to your scalp pre-injection. In this instance, you will need to arrive early for your treatment session for the solution to be applied.
PRP Recovery
PRP injections are mainly intended to boost your healing and growth process; hence, you may not see any immediate results after your injection. However, in several weeks or months, you may notice that the affected area is growing more hair or healing quicker than expected.
Conclusion
Consult with Dr. Daniel Moghadam, MD, a fellowship-trained regenerative and anti-aging medicine physician at the Modern Aesthetica in Santa Monica, for a more natural approach to overall health and wellness. With his PRP treatments, you will be guaranteed complete alleviation of joint pain and improved skin and hair health. For information about our services, you can schedule an appointment online or contact our offices today.
