Chronic hip and knee pain can severely impact your quality of life, prompting you to explore effective relief options. If you're not ready for joint replacement, regenerative therapy like PRP offers a promising solution. PRP therapy harnesses the healing power of your body’s own platelet-rich plasma to repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and regenerate healthier joints. This cutting-edge approach can help improve mobility and alleviate joint pain, providing a natural and less invasive alternative to surgery. Discover how regenerative therapy works and why it could be the key to your recovery.
Understanding PRP Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves using a concentration of platelets derived from your blood to promote healing in injured or degenerative tissues. During the procedure, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and processed to isolate the platelets. This concentrated plasma is then injected directly into the affected hip or knee joint. The high concentration of growth factors in PRP stimulates the body’s natural repair mechanisms to optimize healing.
How PRP Therapy Benefits Hip & Knee Pain
PRP therapy offers several benefits for managing hip and knee pain. Promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation can help alleviate pain and improve joint function. Patients often experience significant relief from symptoms of osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and other joint-related issues. The therapy is minimally invasive and uses the body’s resources, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or side effects.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
The PRP procedure is relatively straightforward. After drawing and processing your blood, the PRP is injected into the targeted joint under sterile conditions. Most patients can return to their normal activities shortly after the procedure, though it is advisable to avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Results vary, but many patients report noticeable improvements in pain and mobility within weeks.
Is PRP Therapy Right for You?
PRP therapy is a promising option for individuals suffering from chronic hip or knee joint pain, particularly those looking to avoid surgery. This treatment uses platelet-rich plasma, drawn from your own blood, to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the affected joints. Since PRP is derived from your body, there’s minimal risk of complications or allergic reactions. Keep in mind that it doesn't reverse arthritic changes or restore cartilage. PRP reduces inflammation to enhance joint health, which can help delay or avoid joint replacement surgery for those not yet ready.
If you're dealing with persistent hip or knee pain, PRP therapy could be an effective part of your pain management plan. Explore how this therapy can help relieve your discomfort and improve your mobility, restore your quality of life, and potentially delay the need for joint replacement.
AUTHOR: Richard Boe, MD is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive direct anterior hip replacement and robotic assisted knee replacement surgery at Resurgens Orthopaedics serving the greater Atlanta area. Dr. Boe is an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Georgia Orthopaedic Society.