You have certainly heard of platelet-rich plasma therapy, a revolutionary concept that is changing how doctors treat nerve injuries. However, what you probably don’t know is how it works and why it could be a novel treatment for most nervous system diseases. For this reason, we are going to is deeper to understand what it …

Dr. Bruce J. Stratt
Dr. Bruce J. Stratt

Dr. Stratt is the Medical Director of LifeBoost where he offers hormone replacement therapy, platelet rich plasma therapy for aesthetics, hair restoration, sexual wellness and orthopedic pain management.

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You have certainly heard of platelet-rich plasma therapy, a revolutionary concept that is changing how doctors treat nerve injuries. However, what you probably don’t know is how it works and why it could be a novel treatment for most nervous system diseases. For this reason, we are going to is deeper to understand what it is and how platelet-rich plasma therapy helps regenerate nerves.

What is platelet-rich plasma therapy and why is it so important?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a relatively new treatment that has recently received media attention after being used to treat common sports injuries such as torn ligaments and tendon, skeletal fractures, sprained knees, and strained muscles. This therapy promotes the regeneration of soft tissues and natural healing of joints while reducing the risks and healing time often associated with surgery.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelet-rich plasma, as the name suggests, is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein extracted from a patient’s blood. The platelets facilitate blood clotting, but they also have growth factors (GF) that help heal injuries, encourage homeostasis, and facilitate the regrowth of tissues.

Platelet-rich plasma is prepared through a process known as centrifugation. The process helps separate light and heavy proteins using centrifugal force. Centrifugation also explains why PRP contains 5-to-10 times more than the usual concentration of GF and platelets in the normal blood.

How is platelet-rich plasma prepared?

The process of preparing PRP is straightforward and quick. A physician collects the blood from the patient and transfers it to a centrifuge, a machine that helps apply centrifugal force to the blood. Centrifugation usually takes five to twenty minutes. After centrifugation, the physician extracts platelet-rich plasma according to the centrifuge instructions. Thrombin and calcium are then added to the collected PRP, which facilitates the release of growth factors from the alpha granules.

Platelet-rich plasma injection procedure

PRP injections require precision. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that all PRP injections are administered by a seasoned physician. The physician should also use imaging techniques such as Ultrasound guidance to ensure a precise injection. Before an injection, we advise our patients to adhere to the following precautions.

  • Avoid corticosteroid medications- patients should avoid these medications two to three weeks before the procedure.
  • Avoid NSAIDs such as Celebrex, aspirin or ibuprofen a week before the procedure.
  • Avoid anti-coagulation medications five days prior the procedure.
  • Drink plenty of water before the procedure.

Our physicians will also explain benefits, cost of the procedure, steps of the procedure, and follow up processes to our patients before administering PRP injections. After injection, patients are advised to minimize activity for at least 24-hours. However, due to our exceptional PRP procedures, most of our patients are able to participate in activities immediately after PRP therapy.

Our history with nerve regeneration

As industry leaders in age management, regenerative medicine, and other related research, we have been perfecting how to make PRP for years. Our PRP’s have more growth factors when compared to other PRP’s used by other specialists.

Why patients should avoid nerve surgery

Nerve surgery is notoriously difficult and dangerous. There are countless cases out there of patients who underwent these surgeries with no results. Some even developed new problems related to the surgeries. In fact, a recent research shows that the world’s most popular never surgery, carpal tunnel release, destabilizes the wrist because the surgery cuts a critical ligament that is required for wrist stability. Therefore, patients should give PRP therapy an opportunity to help their nerves accomplish their own regeneration.

Let LifeBoost help you

Do you have a nerve injury? Let LifeBoost help you. We are an age management, orthopedic, aesthetics, and hormone replacement therapy clinic. Visit us today or call to talk to one of our experts.