REPAIR - RECOVER - REGENERATE
REPAIR - RECOVER - REGENERATE
Learn more about PRP and ultrasound guided injections.
If you are suffering from arthritis in your hip, knee, or shoulder or chronic tendonitis in your elbow, ankle, or shoulder, you should consider PRP treatments. PRP is an alternative treatment option for patients who want to explore options other than surgery. The initial evaluation will determine whether PRP is a viable treatment option for you.
Unlike cortisone injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has growth factors that provide healing properties. While cortisone injections may offer temporary relief and reduce inflammation, they can potentially weaken the local tissue. Hence, they typically do not offer long-term healing benefits. Moreover, the effectiveness of cortisone injections diminishes with multiple injections.
PRP treatment is generally safe, and complications are rare. Although uncommon, the risks include:
.Pain and mild swelling for a few days
· Infection
· No relief of symptoms
· Allergic reaction
Patients with bleeding disorders, active infections, cancer, and pregnancy, as well as those taking some blood thinners (such as Coumadin), are not eligible for PRP treatment.
The PRP treatment is not a quick fix and requires time and rehabilitation to promote long-term healing of the tendon.
In my clinical experience, the literature shows that the PRP treatment for arthritis can provide relief for 1-2 years. However, it's important to note that this treatment doesn't reverse the joint changes or cure arthritis. On the other hand, for partial tendon, ligament injuries, and tendinitis, PRP may provide permanent relief as it is believed to have the potential to heal the tear.
When treating Tendinitis, one treatment is typically sufficient . When treating Arthritis, however, evidence suggests that receiving two injections 7 to 10 days apart will produce better results..
As PRP treatment is a relatively new treatment, OHIP does not cover its cost.
The protocol for PRP treatment may differ from person to person, depending on the condition being treated, and the pricing of procedures can also vary. An evaluation is necessary to better understand the condition, treatment, and costs specific to your situation.
PRP treatment works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal. It generally takes a few weeks to begin feeling the difference.
We recommend filling out the patients' forms on our website or contacting our office to determine if you are a good candidate.
The procedure typically takes about 30-40 minutes. It involves drawing a vial of blood from your vein, separating the blood components by spinning them in a centrifuge, and then injecting the plasma and platelets into the affected joint or tendon with the help of ultrasound guidance.
Ultrasound technology enables doctors to produce images of the inside of their patients' bodies using sound waves. To do this, a small probe and gel are placed directly onto the skin. High-frequency sound waves are then transmitted into the body, and the probe collects the sounds that bounce back. This information is sent to a computer that creates an image using those waves. The best part is that ultrasound technology doesn't use any ionizing radiation, so patients aren't exposed to any radiation. The images are captured in real time, displaying the structure and movement of one's soft tissue.
Using ultrasound-guided technology for musculoskeletal injections ensures precise accuracy during treatment. Since the areas receiving treatment are only a few millimeters in size, utilizing imaging can help doctors accurately locate and target these structures with precision.
Traditionally, musculoskeletal injections have been performed using anatomical landmarks, or a "blind" technique. In this method, the doctor feels for specific bones, muscles, or tendons and injects into the desired area. However, there is no definitive way of knowing where the tip of the needle is entering. Musculoskeletal ultrasound has become increasingly popular for guiding needles during musculoskeletal injections, especially for injecting joints and tendons.
Ultrasound-guided injections offer several advantages over traditional blind injections.
With ultrasound imaging, doctors can optimize the exact location of the injection and visualize the needle tip on the screen, increasing precision. This precision reduces pain for the patient during the procedure and lowers the risk of complications, such as nerve damage or excessive bleeding, by helping doctors avoid hitting nerves and blood vessels.
Additionally, the accuracy of the injection allows for more effective treatment and can increase diagnostic feedback for the provider. If the injection is correctly placed in the target area but does not work, the doctor can look for other causes of the patient's symptoms.
Multiple studies have shown that ultrasound-guided injections are more accurate than landmark-guided injections, supporting their use in medical practice. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has published a position statement based on a systematic literature review, including 124 studies demonstrating high-quality evidence of the accuracy of ultrasound-guided injections.
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