Anyone who has played sports their whole life has likely experienced an injury or two at some point, whether it’s a twisted ankle or a strained muscle. Some injuries may go away on their own after a few weeks of rest. Unfortunately, other types of injuries, such as a ligament or tendon strain, a muscle tear, or cartilage damage, can put you out of commission for a long period of time. In fact, sports-related injuries like these can take a long time to heal if untreated and can be very painful. High-dose PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment is effective for these and other sports injuries.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Sports Injuries
Sports-related injuries can lead to serious long-term damage if left untreated. Not only can sports injuries cause pain and reduce your range of motion, but they can also lead to chronic inflammation, which can further damage tissue. Therefore, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible to properly treat and heal the injury to prevent long-term problems from developing.
How Past Injuries Can Affect Your Present-Day Life
Even if you experienced an injury years ago, it may cause ongoing trauma in different parts of the body. For example, a ligament tear may cause instability in the knee joint, leading to chronic pain and discomfort later in life. In addition, the injury may cause muscle weakness and can result in the inability to perform certain activities, such as running or jumping. This means that if you’re experiencing chronic pain today, it could be the result of a sports-related injury you had years ago.
Why Consider High-Dose Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection As A Treatment
Recent developments in the field of high-dose PRP injection have made it an increasingly popular option for treating sports injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions. Research has found that this treatment can effectively promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and increase range of motion.
Additionally, the treatments are safe and effective with minimal side effects. One particular study found that 83.3 percent of subjects undergoing PRP treatments for sports-related injuries were able to return to normal daily physical activity and to playing sports. Additionally, another study concluded that PRP treatments were optimal for sports-related injuries that were not responding to conservative management.
Benefits Of High Dose PRP Treatment
High-dose PRP treatments have been shown to provide significant pain relief and improved mobility in patients with sports-related injuries. These treatments also promote tissue healing and regeneration, reducing the risk of further damage. Additionally, the following benefits can be expected from high-dose PRP treatments:
- Safe: High-dose PRP treatments are safe and rarely cause adverse effects. This is because the substance being injected is derived from the patient’s own blood, so it won’t cause an adverse reaction.
- Minimally Invasive: The PRP procedure is minimally invasive and does not require surgery or long-term recovery. The treatment can be completed in one visit, and side effects are rare. If they do occur, they are minor.
- Fast Recovery Time: Because of how minimally invasive the procedure is, recovery times tend to be fast, and patients can often resume regular activities soon after treatment.
- Treats Pain At The Source: High-dose PRP treatments target the source of the pain, rather than just masking it. They do this by promoting tissue healing and regeneration
How High-Dose PRP Works For Sports Injuries
High-dose PRP treatments involve injecting concentrated amounts of platelets into the injured area. Platelets are tiny cells found in the blood that contain a variety of growth factors and proteins that can trigger the body’s natural healing process. These growth factors help reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration and repair, and stimulate new blood vessel growth, which helps to deliver essential nutrients to the injured area.
High doses of PRP are ideal for treating sports injuries, as they can help to reduce pain and inflammation more quickly than lower doses. Additionally, high doses can help promote healthy tissue growth and reduce the risk of further damage. As a result, patients who receive high-dose PRP treatments often experience faster recovery times and improved mobility.
Sports Injuries That Respond To PRP Treatment
PRP treatment is effective for a wide range of injuries, but they are especially beneficial for those that involve soft tissue damage, which is a common result of sports-related injuries. Examples of common sports injuries that respond well to PRP treatment include:
Meniscal Tears
Meniscal tears are considered one of the most common knee injuries and can be caused by sudden twists or turns. These tears create sharp or stabbing pain in the knee joint, swelling, and stiffness. A meniscus tear can limit mobility and may even lead to arthritis in the long run if not treated properly. However, high-dose PRP treatments can help to reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue healing in the area of the tear.
ACL Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are fairly common among athletes who play sports that involve quick changes of direction and jumping. ACL injuries can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint. Long-term complications can include arthritis and further damage to the joint. PRP injections have been found to reduce pain and inflammation caused by ACL injuries, as well as strengthen ligaments and improve stability.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a common condition affecting the elbow and forearm tendons. As the name indicates, it is most often seen in tennis players, but can also affect athletes of other sports, such as golf. Tennis elbow can cause pain and tenderness on the outside of the arm, as well as a decreased grip strength. PRP treatments for tennis elbow have been found to reduce pain and inflammation and improve grip strength.
Jumper’s Knee
Jumper’s knee, or patellar tendonitis, is a condition that affects the tendons around the kneecap. More specifically, it is caused by irritation, inflammation, and small tears in the patellar tendon. It can cause pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the knee joint. If you play sports involving jumping, such as basketball or volleyball, then you’re more likely to suffer from this condition. It can cause pain and tenderness on the front of the knee, as well as swelling and decreased flexibility and mobility. PRP treatments can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by jumper’s knee and promote tissue healing.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries are common among athletes in contact sports, such as football and wrestling. These injuries cause pain, tenderness, and stiffness in the shoulder joint and can significantly limit mobility. In severe cases, rotator cuff injuries can even lead to full rotator cuff muscle tears, which may require surgery. PRP injections are effective in reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. They also promote tissue healing which reduces the risk of aggravating the injury.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis affects the ligaments that connect the heel bone to the toes. It causes pain and tenderness in the bottom of the foot, as well as decreased mobility. Any sport involving running or jumping can cause plantar fasciitis, as it puts tremendous stress on the feet. PRP injections have been found to reduce pain and inflammation in patients with plantar fasciitis, as well as promote tissue healing in the area. This can help to relieve pressure on the foot and improve mobility.
How Do You Know If PRP Treatment Is For You?
PRP treatments are not just for elite athletes; they can benefit anyone who has experienced a sports injury. For example, you may have experienced a sports-related injury years ago when playing for your high school football team or while casually playing golf with your coworkers over the past weekend. Whether you’re experiencing lingering pain due to a past injury or have recently injured yourself during a recreational activity, PRP injections can help reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue healing.
It’s essential to remember that PRP treatments are not a guarantee of complete recovery from an injury. However, they can be beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation, as well as promoting tissue regeneration and repair. Ultimately, PRP treatments can help you get back to doing the activities you love with minimal discomfort and improved mobility without having to resort to a dependence on pain medications or an invasive (and expensive) surgical procedure.
Trust Orthagenex With Treating Your Sports Injury
At Orthagenex, we believe that high-dose PRP treatments can make a significant difference in treating and relieving pain caused by sports injuries. Our specialists have extensive experience in providing these treatments, and they use the most advanced technology to ensure the best possible results.
If you suffered from a musculoskeletal injury caused while playing sports, contact Orthagenex today to learn more about our PRP treatment options and see how we can help you achieve long-term pain relief so you can get back to playing the sports you love as soon as possible.
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