Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition where the protective cartilage in your joints breaks down over time, resulting in pain and inflammation. Nearly 33 million people in the United States live with this common form of arthritis.
While there is no cure for OA, our team can help manage its symptoms and slow its progression. At Tadje Orthopaedics, we offer advanced regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to target the root cause of joint pain and promote healing.
Don’t let stiff, painful joints keep you from a full and active life. Here are four benefits of PRP therapy that are changing the game when it comes to OA management.
PRP treatments begin with a quick blood draw, similar to a routine lab test. We then process the sample in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets, which are filled with beneficial, naturally occurring chemicals such as growth factors.
Growth factors are specialized proteins that act as messengers within the body, signaling cells to grow, multiply, and differentiate. When we inject PRP into the affected joint(s), those growth factors go to work promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue, accelerating the healing process.
Unlike temporary solutions that only mask OA symptoms, PRP addresses the root cause of your discomfort. The growth factors it contains reduce inflammation, calming chronic irritation and swelling that lead to pain and limited movement.
While the effects of PRP are gradual, not immediate, studies show it’s often more beneficial in the long run compared with other treatments. As the inflammation goes down and tissue begins to heal, you may find your need for pain medications decreases dramatically.
OA often leads to stiffness, restricted range of motion, and a feeling of instability in the joint. This can make even simple, everyday tasks like getting dressed, washing your hair, or sweeping the floor feel like a struggle — not to mention sports or other physical activities.
By relieving pain and improving joint function, PRP therapy makes it easier to get moving again. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are both crucial for slowing the progression of OA, which creates a positive feedback loop for your joint health.
PRP therapy offers a way to effectively manage OA without the risks, high costs, and extensive recovery time required for major joint surgery. It’s a valuable alternative if you’re looking for nonsurgical options to improve your quality of life.
From the initial blood draw to the injection itself, the PRP process is a quick, in-office procedure with little to no downtime afterward. While you may experience some minor swelling and discomfort at the injection site for about 24-48 hours after treatment, this is a normal sign that the regenerative healing process has begun.
If you’re ready to explore a more proactive, holistic solution for OA, our team at Tadje Orthopaedics is here to help you get started. Call our office in Meridian, Idaho, to schedule a consultation to find out if PRP therapy is the right choice for you.
