PRP Doctor Knee Pain Derwood, MD

PRP Doctor Knee Pain Derwood, MD

Patients who are suffering osteoarthritis may benefit greatly by treatments from a Derwood, Maryland PRP doctor for knee pain. At I Hate Knee Pain, we understand how debilitating knee pain can be for our patients. Chronic pain not only wears down on a person physically, but can also wear down on them emotionally, leaving them struggling with depression and stress. Unfortunately, traditional doctors usually suggest strong medications and painkillers as the main way to deal with the pain. This is because there are no medicines that can cure osteoarthritis.

One treatment that has shown great success for patients with osteoarthritis is platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. PRP injections are very effective in alleviating pain for patients who deal with the pain of osteoarthritis and do not want to deal with invasive knee replacement surgery. PRP treatments are good for patients who suffer mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Your PRP doctor for knee pain in Derwood, MD will evaluate your situation to determine if PRP treatments are an option for your knee pain. Some of the questions your doctor may ask include:

• Does the osteoarthritis interfere with your daily activities?
• Did you have any success with anti-inflammatory medications?
• Did you have any success with bracing?
• Did you have any success with physical therapy?
• Did you have any success with cortisone injections?

Why PRP?

As a doctor of knee pain in Derwood, MD can explain, one of the major benefits of PRP treatments is that the therapy uses the patient’s own blood platelets. These platelets contain growth factors and healing substances. In fact, when your body tissue is injured, it is the platelets that rush to the injured area and form clots to stop any bleeding and promote healing.

A small sample of blood is withdrawn from the patient’s arm and put into a device that spins the blood so fast that the platelets are separated from the red and white blood cells. The Derwood, MD PRP doctor for knee pain will then take the concentrated platelets and plasma and inject them in the area where the patient’s pain is.

The volume of platelets in the plasma used in PRP treatments is greater than platelets normally found in the patient’s blood. This plasma has more than 1,500 proteins, such as anti-inflammatory agents and growth factors. This is what triggers the healing and improvement of the inflammation in the knee and the process of healing pain.

When the platelets are injected into the knee, the begin to release the natural growth factors which help speed up the process of regenerating damaged or lost tissue.

If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you have knee osteoarthritis, a PRP doctor knee pain Derwood, MD residents turn to from the I Hate Knee Pain clinic can be of assistance. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a growing treatment option for patients who are interested in trying a more alternative, regenerative approach.

There are a variety of conditions that can be treated using PRP therapy, including knee osteoarthritis. The more traditional methods of caring for knee osteoarthritis include cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and surgery. However, research has shown that PRP therapy can be used to manage symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis. 

Where the PRP Solution Comes From

As your PRP doctor knee pain Derwood, MD clients depend on may explain during a consultation, the first step in the procedure is to perform a blood draw from the patient. This blood sample is then spun in a centrifuge for about 15-20 minutes. Your knee doctor then uses this sample to extract the solution for injection. The knee area is often numbed prior to the injection so the patient can be more comfortable during the procedure, which takes around an hour. Through the centrifuge machine, the blood sample is separated into:

• Plasma
• Platelets
• White blood cells
• Red blood cells

Candidates for PRP Therapy

A person who is suffering from knee osteoarthritis symptoms may be a good candidate for treatment from a PRP doctor knee pain Derwood, MD patients trust if other methods of care have not resulted in the improvements desired. Cortisone injections can be helpful in the short-term, but may not be targeting the source of the problem. PRP injections entail administering healing properties directly into the knee area to assist with regeneration of damaged tissue, joints, and ligaments. Those who are looking for another form of treatment for their relentless knee osteoarthritis can consult with a PRP doctor knee pain Derwood, MD residents trust. 

Preparing for the Session

Before the platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy session, your knee doctor is likely going to talk with you about how to prepare for the treatment. You may have to stop taking anti-inflammatory medication a week prior to the therapy and arrange to have someone else drive you home. Your knee doctor may have you get an MRI of the knee to determine the extent of the damage. Depending on the condition of the knee, more or less platelet rich plasma (PRP) solution may be used. 

Knee Osteoarthritis Outlook

After the PRP therapy session, a knee doctor may recommend the patient ices his or her knee every few hours at 20-minute intervals for three days. A prescription pain medication may also be given to those who are more sensitive to discomfort. It is imperative to limit physical activity that involves applying pressure onto the knee. A doctor may suggest using crutches to help keep weight off the knee. After 1-2 months, your PRP knee doctor can assess the effectiveness, and whether further treatments can be beneficial. 

PRP Encourages Regeneration

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a reasonably low-pain and low-risk procedure, as it uses the patient’s own blood to encourage regeneration within damaged joints and bones of the knee related to osteoarthritis. Evidence does suggest that PRP can be effective in managing the pain related to knee osteoarthritis. Anyone suffering from knee osteoarthritis can receive an evaluation from a PRP doctor knee pain Derwood, MD community members trust for help deciding whether the I Hate Knee Pain approach is right for them.