How Do Injections Help Relieve Pain?

Pain is a normal response to inflammation. When a particular area of the body is injured acutely or chronically, this particular area may become inflamed. Inflammation causes a release of endogenous chemicals that may result in redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals can cause a leak of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.

When people start to experience acute and chronic inflammation in their joints especially their joints, surgery is what comes to mind. Arthritis, tears, or tendinitis are some causes of joint pain and sound pretty intimidating.

When surgery is not the best option right now, injections can promote healing and help to ease pain. Injections may also be recommended in conjunction with other treatments.

Platelet-Rich Plasma injections

PRP injections utilize the natural ability for platelets to heal tissue. Rather than strictly anti-inflammatory pain management, this therapy helps to actually promote healing of the tendon, ligament, muscle, joint, and cartilage.

How Do PRP Injections Work?

Platelets are cells in your blood that are best known for clotting. However, they have a lot of other healing properties that can help stimulate tissue growth. The growth factors that the platelets secrete stimulate tissue recovery by increasing collagen production, enhancing tendon stem cell proliferation, and tenocyte-related gene and protein expression.

Results after PRP Injections

After a PRP injection, you may experience an increase in pain in the days immediately following. You will notice gradual improvement 2-6 weeks after starting the PRP therapy. Some patients report ongoing improvement 6-9 months after PRP injections are administered.

How Many Injections Will I Need?

Although this varies by person and their treatment plan, patients often have a series of two to three injections a week apart. Some patients can experience tremendous improvement after 1 session.