Living with chronic joint pain can significantly impact your quality of life, limit your mobility, and even impact your mental health. If you've been searching for effective and long-lasting pain relief, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy might be your solution to ending joint pain once and for all — and it’s available here at Modern Aesthetica.
Daniel Moghadam, MD, and our team offer PRP therapy for several different joints, including your shoulder, hips, knees, and back. PRP therapy can play a big role in reducing joint pain, especially when it’s paired with healthy lifestyle habits.
Here’s a closer look at what PRP therapy is and how it can help you say goodbye to joint pain.
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are a major component of your blood and support your body’s healing processes.
PRP is a medical treatment derived from your own blood, specifically your platelets. The process involves drawing a small sample of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the PRP into your affected joint.
Platelets play a crucial role in your body’s natural healing process, and they are rich in growth factors and proteins that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. When introduced into an injured or inflamed joint through PRP therapy, these concentrated platelets accelerate your body’s healing response and promote the repair of damaged joint tissues.
There are many reasons to consider PRP therapy. PRP therapy can provide the following.
PRP therapy directly targets the source of joint pain. Injecting the concentrated platelets precisely into your affected joint promotes healing at the site of injury or inflammation.
Inflammation is a common contributor to joint pain. PRP therapy has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in your joints, alleviate pain, and improve the overall function of your joints, whether that’s your hip, knee, or shoulder.
The growth factors within PRP stimulate the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, including cartilage and ligaments. This can contribute to improved joint function and mobility over time.
Because PRP is derived from your own blood, it harnesses your body’s natural healing abilities. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions or complications associated with synthetic treatments.
Not only does it help promote healing, but it does so without the need for invasive joint replacements or incisions. This makes PRP therapy ideal for those who’d like to avoid (or at least delay) joint replacement surgery.
While individual responses may vary, many patients experience long-lasting relief from joint pain after PRP therapy. The regenerative effects continue to unfold in the weeks and months after the procedure.
While PRP isn’t a surgical procedure, it still requires a bit of planning. Here’s what you can expect if you’re considering PRP therapy for joint pain.
The process begins with a thorough consultation. Dr. Moghadam first assesses your medical history, examines the affected joint, and determines if PRP therapy is a suitable option for you.
A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm. This blood is then processed using a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets. The blood draw is no different than the one you receive during your annual physical.
Once the PRP is prepared, it’s injected into the targeted joint using precision-guided techniques. Local anesthesia may be applied to minimize any discomfort during the injection.
Recovery from PRP therapy is generally swift. Most people resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, although strenuous activities may be advised against for a brief period. Dr. Moghadam provides specific post-injection instructions for you.
As you continue on your road to recovery, you can further promote healthy joints by:
To learn more about PRP therapy for joint pain, call our Santa Monica, California, office to schedule an appointment. You can reach us at 424-391-3884 or through our online form.
