PRP Injections

[NY65912]

Anyone out there either know about or had PRP injections?

Platelet Rich Plasma. They centrifuge out platelets from your blood and inject them into the affected tissue.

My problem is "myofascial pain syndrome" with my entire lower back in a constant state of tendinitis from surgery and multiple repetitive back injuries in the past.

I'm kind of excited about the possibilities because I hear that positive results are possible.

I'm suffering with a bad "failed back" for 30 years now and frankly I am friggin tired of it.

I have not been in my track car for almost two years now. If things do not improve I will be selling the beast.

Discuss.....

[Noah930]

I have a product rep trying to sell me on the idea. I'll see if he's got any literature on your condition. They take 20 or 30 cc of blood from you, spin it down, skim off the platelet rich layer, and then re-inject it into you. Sounds like it's fairly low risk. The product reps were vague, but I think the kit (for each use) costs about $500. How much you (or your insurance) get charged is a different issue.

[NY65912]

Thanks Noah.

I was hoping that someone here has had a treatment.

I trust my doc implicedly, he is a Tufts, Harvard and A. Einstien taught guy. He's young and always on the cutting edge. He is the Chairman of the Pain Management department of a hospital here in NY, so I trust him.

I am told that it is a very safe procedure because after all you are only taking back your own cells.

Thanks for the response and help.

Mike

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by NY65912

Thanks Noah.

I was hoping that someone here has had a treatment.

I trust my doc implicedly, he is a Tufts, Harvard and A. Einstien taught guy. He's young and always on the cutting edge. He is the Chairman of the Pain Management department of a hospital here in NY, so I trust him.

I am told that it is a very safe procedure because after all you are only taking back your own cells.

Thanks for the response and help.

Mike

Honestly if you have no other remedies available I dont see how you lose with trying this.

As posted above, you are getting your own stuff back. Seems about as natural and organic as you can get.

Also suffer from regular chronic back pain so I know how you feel.

Good luck. Hope it works for you.

[NY65912]

Well its been a while but I have undergone three sets of PRP injections and the results are remarkable.

After suffering with chronic back pain for almost 30 years I must say this is the best I have felt in a long, long time.

The first few days after the injections you are sore, black and blue but it gets less and less everyday. I have went the last two weeks pain free and have no stiffness and a better range of motion.

So far it's been a minor miracle!

[jyl]

How does it work? Why does it work? I am fascinated but confused.

[NY65912]

An explanation from about.com

"Platelet rich plasma (abbreviated PRP) is a new treatment used for some common orthopedic conditions. PRP is a concentration of platelet cells taken from your blood, and these platelets have growth factors that may help in the healing process of chronic injuries. Growth factors are chemicals that signal the body to initiate a healing response. By injecting PRP into areas of an injury, the hope is to stimulate and optimize your body's ability to heal the chronic conditions."

During a PRP injection, a patient’s own blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge, concentrating the platelets, which are injected back in to the wound. These specially formed proteins accelerate tissue recovery and wound healing and provide powerful potential for healing tendon injuries and stemming the onset of osteoarthritis. The future of medicine, especially the field of orthopedics is increasingly looking towards cutting edge gene therapy and other biologic solutions to solve problems involving tendons, bones, ligaments and cartilage.

All I know is that it is working. My doc is very positive with this therapy for guys like me with ligament damage, due to the injury and the surgery to fix the problem (17 years ago).