What is PRP? Plasma Rich Protein
People have mistakenly mischaracterized plasma-rich protein therapy (PRP) as experimental, or new.
Actually, there are thousands of studies in both the human and veterinary literature that have supported its use over two decades.
Famous athletes, dignitaries, and those that are just sick of hurting, want a chance to have a better lifestyle, quality of life, and most importantly avoid medications. I don't think I need to remind anybody that we have an opioid epidemic and those drugs have risks.
Furthermore, although I am an advocate of opioids, control of their ultimate consumption is difficult and can eventually result in unwanted side effects and poor access (hence root word, keyword “controlled substances''). These drugs sometimes have tragic consequences that we have all heard about from misuse, abuse and diversion.
It might be the girl next door, or that LOLIP (little old lady in pain), addiction does not discriminate. Taking medications for a problem in evolution, or of chronic nature, is a potential roadmap to complication, or even disaster, if not precautions are not taken.
Plasma-rich protein is not to be confused with "STEM cells". PRP is not unethical or living in a gray area. These techniques are safe, in the right hands of course, ethical, and you should have no fear approaching these treatments with peace of mind.
So what is going on here? How does PRP therapy work?
PRP is injected to an area that is suffering from inflammation, damage, or just plain pain.
Sometimes we inject musculoskeletal tissues, tendons, joints, ligaments, and evolving targets such as the sacroiliac joint, or even discs in the lumbar spine. This therapy prompts inflammation that recruits a specific type of what we will call pluripotent “cells” that regenerate, or turn into the target tissues.
Ultimately the result is given the tissue potential to generate. Think of a scaffolding. A place for STEM cells inside of you to find a direction of repair. Strictly speaking, PRP is considered autologous, or that being you.
In other words, the transmission of disease or rejection, are not present. That's the ideal position PRP has over many other therapies. Hopefully medications used for pain can be reduced or eliminated.
What is the cost question?
Standard PRP therapy with physician-controlled experience and imaging is $750.00 and up.
Whenever a clinic claims results in a "95% success rate", be wary, but we believe that our decision-making, in accordance with your needs will put you in a better place, and once again improve quality of life and function while minimizing exposure to opioids and controlled substances.
We have seen a number of variations in clinics that are attempting to capitalize on this therapy, strictly for profit, without the high bar of ethics that we promise. You'll get an honest assessment of your problem where you will be at benchmarks 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and if we're not getting there, we're going to talk about it. At PRC we will minimize your exposure to opioids, steroids, and unnecessary injections. We will keep an open dialogue as our promise to you and if your family, close significant other wants to be involved, we encourage that.
Conclusion:
There is no conclusion. Life is full of twists and turns. We think arthritis is a “good living”. We talk about aging as a good thing because the alternative is not. We talk about the best outcome, with the least side effects in a cost effective, friendly, responsive environment.
Come join us, we have the resources and skill to assess your pain problem, and treat you with respect, dignity, and in your best interest.