In this article: The problem for patients receiving a recommendation for surgery as the preferred knee osteoarthritis treatment based on MRI.
In many patients we see, an older athlete will come in and report a minor discomfort in their knee. They want the minor discomfort treated. However, many of these patients will then produce an MRI report that the minor discomfort was found to be an advanced case of knee deterioration and confess, “It doesn’t feel like advanced deterioration.”
What the MRI says the patient has, and what the patient feels they have, do not match
Medical research agrees with the patient. “(MRI) can present a clinical dilemma to the physician managing the patient who, despite the presence of radiologically confirmed disease, has few symptoms and wishes to maintain an active lifestyle (1).
In the older athlete the choice of surgery is not one that they take lightly. This means prolonged absence from a sport or activity that keeps them in shape and the competitive fires in their eyes. This is where a recommendation to Platelet rich Plasma Therapy comes in.
Platelet Rich Plasma is part of the non-surgical injection treatment options offered at the Magaziner Center for Wellness that also includes Prolotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy.
PRP injections to treat knee articular cartilage degeneration is safe, which can alleviate symptoms of pain and swelling and improve the quality of life of patients(2)
The body’s first response to soft tissue injury is to deliver platelets. Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. PRP therapy’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets.
To create PRP therapy, a small sample of your blood is drawn (similar to a lab test sample) and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into and around the point of injury, jump-starting and significantly strengthening the body’s natural healing signal. Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection and a very low risk of allergic reaction.
In one study researchers looked at 261 patients with knee degeneration were treated with PRGF (plasma rich in growth factors) (PRP). At 6 months following intra-articular infiltration of PRGF in patients with OA of the knee, improvements in function and quality of life were documented. (3)
Other research sought to “evaluate the clinical effects of intraarticular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in a small group of patients with primary and secondary osteoarthritis. Most of the current treatments for osteoarthritis are palliative and attack the symptoms rather than influencing the biochemical environment of the joint. Autologous platelet-rich plasma has emerged as a treatment option for tendinopathies and chronic wounds…The study demonstrated significant and almost linear improvements in Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores, including pain and symptom relief.” (4)
1. Kirkendall DT. Management of the Retired Athlete with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Cartilage January 2012 vol. 3 no. 1 suppl 69S-76S
2. Li M, Zhang C, Ai Z, Yuan T, Feng Y, Jia W. Therapeutic effectiveness of intra-knee-articular injection of platelet-richplasma on knee articular cartilage degeneration. Li M, Zhang C, Ai Z, Yuan T, Feng Y, Jia W.
3. Wang-Saegusa A, Cugat R, Ares O, et al. Infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors for osteoarthritis of the knee short-term effects on function and quality of life. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2011 Mar;131(3):311-7. Epub 2010 Aug 17.
4. Injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with primary and secondary knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Sampson S, Reed M, Silvers H, ey al. Injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with primary and secondary knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2010 Dec;89(12):961-9.
Leaders among New Jersey Prolotherapy doctors Magaziner Center for Wellness performs over 1,500 PRP and procedures each year. So you know at Magaziner, your wellness is in very good hands.
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