Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a novel approach for treating musculoskeletal injuries. PRP uses a person’s own blood sample to heal areas of injury or aging. The sample is spun into a device, and the platelets in the blood are concentrated within the plasma or liquid portion of the blood. This platelet-rich plasma helps heal the injured area through the many growth factors it contains.
Let’s talk about tennis elbow, how platelet-rich plasma can help with tennis elbow, and where you can go in Florida for comprehensive healthcare.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in your elbow become overloaded, usually through repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. It is a painful condition that not only affects tennis players, but also people in certain professions, such as plumbers, painters, carpenters, and butchers. With tennis elbow, simple motions like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding a coffee cup can cause pain and weakness in the forearm and wrist.
Conservative treatment for tennis elbow includes:
- Use of over-the-counter pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Use of a brace.
- Injections, such as a cortisone shot
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Can Help
Platelets are blood cells that cause the blood to clot. Activating the platelets in the body helps prompt the body’s natural healing processes, making it the perfect treatment for people with tennis elbow. Since the injection uses a sample of your own blood, you are at minimal risk of having a reaction compared to using another person’s blood.
PRP injections can be done in an office setting and are sometimes guided using an ultrasound. One benefit of PRP injections is that they can reduce the need for anti-inflammatory pain medications or stronger medications like opioids. Compared to steroid injections, there are few side effects besides some mild bruising and soreness at the injection site.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Near Me
If you’re suffering from tennis elbow and want to learn more about platelet-rich plasma injections, look no further than the team at NIVA Health. Our physicians are experienced in using platelet-rich plasma therapy to treat comprehensive conditions.
The procedure is safe and can be done in the comfort of our office. Our team will work with you to develop a plan to treat your tennis elbow comfortably and safely.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at a NIVA Health location nearest you. You can also use our online appointment request form.
You no longer have to suffer from the pain of tennis elbow.
