PRP THERAPY FOR HAND PAIN
Up until recently, many patients with hand conditions or injuries turned to surgery or steroid injections to relieve hand pain. While these procedures are often times effective in relieving hand pain, they include a list of potential side effects and risks. With new advancements in regenerative medicine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can now be used to treat a wide range of hand conditions and injuries. PRP therapy is a nonsurgical treatment option that uses the power of your own body to promote healing.
Commonly Treated Hand Conditions & Injuries Using PRP Therapy
Our hands are in constant motion, making them susceptible to many conditions and injuries. One of the most common hand conditions we treat at the Orlando Center for Regenerative Medicine is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the hand can be a painful condition, making it hard to accomplish simple, everyday activities. We’ve found that using PRP therapy in the setting of osteoarthritis in the hand can inhibit inflammation, and stimulate new cartilage, providing long-lasting relief.
A recent study completed in the Biomedical Research International Journal, found that there was a significant decrease in pain scores and an improvement in functional scores with PRP injections for basal joint arthritis. They came to the conclusion that PRP therapy for basal joint arthritis is effective with little to no morbidity.
Some of the most common hand injuries and conditions we typically treat using PRP therapy include:
Basal joint arthritis
Carpometacarpal arthritis
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
Instability
Benefits of PRP Therapy for Hand Pain
When deciding on the best treatment option for your specific injury or condition, it’s important to consider the rehabilitation and risks that are involved in order to determine what procedure works best for your lifestyle. Many hand conditions are treated using steroid injections. Steroid injections have proven to be effective in temporarily relieving pain, but there are many complications that can be involved with these shots, including joint infection, nerve damage, and tendon weakening. When surgery is used to treat a hand condition or injury, there is usually an intensive amount of rehabilitation that is required in order to regain form and function.
Unlike surgery and steroids, PRP therapy uses your own body as the agent for healing. Since the procedure uses your own blood, there is little to no chance for infection. PRP therapy is minimally invasive, eliminating the need for a lengthy rehabilitation plan. Many patients are able to return to their normal daily activities shortly after the procedure with no issues.
How Does PRP Therapy Work?
Our blood consists of liquid called plasma, along with small components of red cells, white cells, and platelets. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors, which are very important in the healing process when an injury occurs. Over time, we may begin to lose some of these powerful platelets that are in our body, making it harder for healing to occur. During PRP therapy, a concentrated source of the patient’s own platelets and growth factors are placed in the site of pain in order to promote regeneration in the body.
The PRP Therapy Treatment Process
A consultation with our center is required before being considered for PRP therapy in order to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Your successful outcome is our #1 priority, and since PRP therapy is not for everyone, our highly trained medical team will only provide you with the most effective treatment options for your particular situation.
If our medical team finds that PRP therapy will be an effective treatment option for your specific injury or condition, you will work with our office to discuss any medication and/or supplements you are currently taking. In order to yield long-lasting benefits, we recommend that you refrain from any anti-inflammatory medication 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the procedure. You will not be required to fast from food or beverages before the procedure.
On the day of treatment, your procedure will be performed in one of our beautiful new treatment rooms at our center. PRP Therapy is considered minimally invasive and is done on an outpatient basis.
Treatment begins by obtaining a small amount of your blood. The blood is then placed in a high-spinning centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the components of the blood so that a rich, concentrated source of platelets is obtained. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the area of the body that is in need of regeneration. Many patients find the procedure to be completely painless. The entire treatment process takes around 45 to 60 minutes.