The primary care health team at MOVE Sports Medicine are experts in PRP injections for both sports-related injuries and osteoarthritis. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is an innovative non-surgical treatment that uses a patient's own blood platelets to aid in the healing process. It has been studied as a treatment for joint pain caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis and ligament injuries. Research has shown that PRP injections can reduce pain and improve function in many of these patients. The theory behind PRP is that it promotes the growth of new blood vessels and helps repair damaged tissue. Additional research is ongoing to understand the full effects of PRP treatment.
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Ultrasound guided PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections are a relatively new and innovative way of delivering PRP to the affected joint or tissue. The benefits of using ultrasound guidance include:
1. Improved accuracy: Ultrasound allows your Sports Medicine professional to see the structure of the joint or tissue in real-time, which means that the PRP can be delivered to the precise area that needs treatment.
2. Reduced pain: Ultrasound guidance allows for a more targeted injection, which can reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure.
3. Increased effectiveness: Ultrasound guidance allows your Sports Medicine professional to see the extent of injury or damage, which means that the PRP can be delivered to the most affected areas. This can result in better healing outcomes and faster recovery times.
4. Reduced risk of complications: Ultrasound guidance reduces the risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, and nerve damage, as your Sports Medicine professional can see exactly where the needle is going during the procedure.
5. Reduced procedure time: Ultrasound guidance allows for faster, more efficient injections, which means that the procedure can be completed more quickly.
6. Cost-effective: Ultrasound-guided PRP injections are more cost-effective than traditional surgical methods as it is a non-invasive treatment with minimal downtime.
Hyaluronic acid is indicated for patients in need of temporary replacement and supplement for synovial fluid in the joints. The injection is a gel-like fluid that binds with your own articular cartilage and joint fluid to give your knee an increase in the “hydraulic” fluid mechanism of your knee joint. It works best with moderate degenerative joint disease but can also give relief in some cases to patients with advanced disease. Often patients can get as much as 6 months relief from their pain. It is intended for intra-articular use to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee and shoulder. This treatment is used in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics.
Hyaluronic acid achieves its therapeutic effect through viscosupplementation, a process whereby the physiological and rheological states of the arthritic joint tissues are restored.
Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid is a treatment to decrease pain and discomfort, allowing more extensive movement of the joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. It acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber for joint loads. People with osteoarthritis have a lower-than-normal concentration of hyaluronic acid in their joints. The theory is that adding hyaluronic acid to the arthritic joint will facilitate movement and reduce pain.
Steroid injections, on the other hand, are also known as corticosteroid injections and entail the injection of corticosteroid medication into specific areas of the body. These injections are used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and manage various medical conditions. Steroid injections can be a quick and effective treatment for soft tissue conditions, joint pain, and inflammation - although the improvement is usually temporary. Consequently, these are often given as part of a wider rehabilitation programme.
Steroid injections have been extensively studied and recent research continues to support their effectiveness in managing a wide range of medical conditions. Studies indicate that they can provide significant pain relief and improve quality of life for many patients.