Platelet Rich Plasma Injection derives from the patient’s sample blood. These type injections contain plasma and high concentration platelet that found in the blood. PRP injections are useful in healing in damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles or even bone. This is typical procedure as it takes around 45-90 minutes to take the blood from the patient’s body. However, it is up t the doctor and patient that how much injection to give the patient. Patient should get one time injection or series of injections that lasts for a month. Doctor plans series of injection for the patient. Therefore, it has recommended that doctor should draw fresh blood for every visit. However, experts believe that PRP injections should not freeze. This can result in the negative effect of the PRP injection. It can affect the usefulness of the injection. Doctor requires taking out separate blood for each session. Experienced physician should perform these sessions. It has required using the imaging technology and precise injection.
Precautions before PRP Procedure
The patient should follow some guidelines before getting into the PRP procedure. Doctors recommend these strict guidelines need to follow by the patients. This is avoiding any kind of complication.
- Patient should avoid taking corticosteroid medicine 2-3 weeks before the procedure.
- Patient should stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin prior to the PRP procedure.
- You should not take anticoagulation medicine 5 days before the procedure.
- You should drink plenty of fluids before the procedures.
- Some patients may need anti anxiety medicine before the procedure.
Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Step by Step Procedure
The systematic procedure of PRP is as follows:
- Blood should be drawn from the vein of patient around 15-50 ml.
- Blood has to process using the centrifuge machine.
- Doctor prepares centrifuged PRP injection for the procedure.
- Doctor cleans the affect joint area with the help of alcohol or iodine.
- There is the need to apply special gel on the skin on the injection site. However, it has done when ultrasound technique has used.
- Doctor asks the patient to be relaxed, so that the injection is less painful.
- Syringe used to inject small amount of PRP in the joint capsule.
- Doctor cleans the injected area and put bandage over there.
Patient may feel swelling and pain on the injection site for 3 days after the PRP procedure.
Follow up after the PRP procedure
Patients require being easy. They should avoid taking strain on the joint area after the PRP procedure for a few days.
Doctor gives suggestions to the patients are:
- Patients have not allowed taking any kind of pain medicines or inflammatory medicine after the procedure.
- Patient should wear a brace or sling to protect the joint area. It has suggested using the crutches when injected in knee, hip or ankle.
- It has required using the cold compress for few times in a day. However, this is helpful in post injection swelling and pain.
Patients do not have physical demanding jobs can rest and work for the next day. Therefore, patient can resume the normal activities few days after injection. This has required because to reduce the impact of post injection pain and swelling.
