A Closer Look at What PRP Can Do For You
If a trip to the doctor leaves you assuming you’ll need prescriptions or surgery to fix a problem, you’re not alone. But we’ve got good news for you. Other therapies harness the body’s natural ability to repair damage, and they can even reduce your need for medications or surgery.
Dr. Jared Tadje offers numerous treatments at Tadje Orthopaedics in Meridian, Idaho, ranging from trauma care, arthritis treatments, and orthopedic surgery to orthobiologics and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Unlike medications, PRP uses healing elements found in your blood to stimulate cell growth at an injury site — the very same components involved in stopping the bleeding when you hurt yourself and healing the cut itself.
Are you looking for a way to heal your body exactly where it hurts? It’s time to take a closer look at how PRP could help.
PRP basics
PRP relies on two vital elements in your blood: platelets and plasma.
You may be familiar with platelets because of their critical role in helping blood clot. But they also contain growth factors. These proteins help stimulate tissue regeneration and cell reproduction — components required in the healing process.
Plasma is the liquid that contains the platelets.
During PRP treatment, Dr. Tadje makes a therapeutic serum by concentrating your platelets in the plasma. This creates a potent dose of healing elements 5-10 times richer than normal that he can then inject specifically into your pain site.
When introduced to damaged tissue, the PRP stimulates new cell growth, eases pain and inflammation, restores function, and accelerates the healing process. This remarkable ability makes it highly effective for treating a variety of pain conditions, including:
- Soft tissue injuries, like rotator cuff tears, ligament strains, and tendinitis
- Joint pain and inflammation, including osteoarthritis
- Fractures
- Postsurgical healing and sports injuries
And since PRP comes from your own body, it poses few risks and side effects. It can even reduce your need for anti-inflammatories or risky pain relievers, like opioids.
What to expect during PRP treatment
Dr. Tadje performs PRP at Tadje Orthopaedics during a simple office appointment.
Your visit starts with a blood draw. Then we concentrate the sample in a centrifuge machine, which usually takes about 15 minutes. Once this PRP concentrate is prepared, Dr. Tadje injects it directly into the part of your body with damage or diseased tissue.
After your appointment, you can usually resume regular activity, but Dr. Tadje can provide personalized guidelines based on your condition and its location.
While PRP can offer significant results with pain and healing, it doesn’t happen immediately. Instead, it often takes a few weeks before you notice improvement, as healthy new cells return to the site and your body heals.
In some cases, Dr. Tadje could also recommend a series of treatments to optimize the healing process.
Are you ready to take a closer look at PRP for yourself? Contact Tadje Orthopaedics in Meridian, Idaho, today to schedule a consultation.