Non-surgical treatment of the knee joint using plasma injections

The use of the body's own platelet-rich plasma helps in the treatment of many ailments and diseases. Injections of autologous plasma are of particular benefit to patients with diseases of the knee joint. The Plasmolifting method has shown good healing effects for many years and enjoys well-deserved popularity among patients.

Non-surgical treatment of the knee joint using plasma injections

Untreated muscle injuries, osteoarthritis of the knee, and other muscle or tendon conditions can seriously affect quality of life. Injections of your own blood plasma into the knee area will help restore freedom of movement. They stimulate the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints by releasing and activating the growth factors contained in the blood.

These concentrated factors naturally stimulate the body's healing processes, improve knee function and reduce injury-related pain.

The use of the Plasmolifting method in the treatment of osteoarthritis

There are several treatment techniques for osteoarthritis:

  • physical exercises,
  • body weight monitoring,
  • compression bandage,
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • paracetamol medication,
  • cortisol injections,
  • viscosupplementation (injection of a gel-like substance into the knee to increase natural lubrication in the joint),
  • PRP injections.

The latter method is the latest medical development.

In the Plasmolifting procedure (treatment with platelet-rich plasma, PRP), obtained PRP, which contains growth factors produced in the blood, is injected into the body areas to be treated. The high concentration of growth factors strengthens the self-healing powers of the human body.

Platelet-rich plasma injections for knee pain are gaining popularity in the medical community as an effective non-surgical treatment for knee injuries.

Clinical studies have shown that platelet-rich plasma injections for knee pain are particularly useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

The results of the study, published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, demonstrate that treating the knee with plasma reduced pain, improved joint function and even stopped the development of osteoarthritis in 73% of the patients enrolled in the study.

Benefits of treating the knee joint with platelet-rich plasma injections

● accelerated wound healing,

● slowing down the development of osteoarthritis symptoms,

● relief of muscle and joint pain,

● reduction of the scar area after an operation,

● increased ossification,

● increased vascularization.

Knee pain often occurs when cartilage and buffer substances in the knee joint are worn down due to age. Knee problems can also occur after an injury or active sporting activities. The injections in the knee area restore the cartilage and lubricant. Platelet-rich plasma contains a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells, cytokines, platelets, growth factors and other healing elements that help repair damaged cartilage.

Patients find that over the course of a few weeks after the treatment, their pain, swelling and difficulty in moving have reduced significantly. In addition to relieving pain caused by arthritis, PRP knee treatment repairs damaged ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

The combination of injections of platelet-rich plasma with hyaluronic acid in the treatment of the knee joint enhances the healing effect

Nowadays it is known that by combining hyaluronic acid with platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of the knee joint, a therapeutic effect can be achieved on several levels. While the plasma regenerates cartilage and synovial fluid in the knee joint, the hyaluronic acid (HA) accelerates the healing process.

As the Mayo Clinic doctors explain, the body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, and doctors inject it into the joint using viscosupplementation. The injected composition with a gel-like consistency lubricates the joints, thereby preventing bones from rubbing against each other and at the same time eliminating unpleasant sensations.

How effective is this treatment? A publication published in Pubmed shows that patients who received a combined treatment (plasma + hyaluronic acid) showed a better positive course. The results were more promising than monotherapeutic treatment of other patients. Basically, thanks to the new treatment method, patients were able to delay knee replacement surgery.

Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the Dr. Renat Akhmerov®`s clinics

Our specialists receive professional training and undergo regular further training in order to be able to better help their patients. You can always register for a preliminary diagnosis and discuss the necessary treatment. We also follow scientific developments and share relevant information and research results with you. Our patients improve their health, increase their level of medical knowledge and achieve better therapeutic results using the Plasmolifting procedure.

The Plasmolifting procedure in the treatment of the hip joint

Orthopedic diseases affect us all in one way or another. Sports activities, injuries, old age and other causes lead to joint and muscle pain, which limits people's mobility and quality of life. The use of the body's own platelet-rich plasma helps in the treatment of many ailments. The Plasmolifting method has shown good healing effects for many years and enjoys well-deserved popularity among patients.

Injection of autologous plasma into the thigh area: an effective method of treating osteoarthritis of the hip joint

According to current information, around 10-15% of the world's population suffer from symptomatic osteoarthritis, that is, a form of the disease that manifests itself through patient complaints. In Germany, even 20% of the population suffer from it, which corresponds to 15.4 million sufferers. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knee and hip. It is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and mobility problems. Injections of autologous blood plasma into the thigh area can be the best therapeutic approach for treatment of the symptoms.

What is osteoarthritis of the hip joint and why does it occur?

Joints in our body spring thanks to cartilage and synovial fluid, which allows the bone ends to slide gently against each other. Because this fluid acts as a lubricant and prevents friction, it absorbs energy from physical movement. Thanks to this, you can move every day. However, with increasing age, the cartilage layer is destroyed and the level of synovial fluid decreases. As a result, pain and inflammation in the joint can occur. When bony spurs begin to form, they can completely change the shape and function of the hip joint. Injections of autologous plasma into the hip area are effective because they stimulate regeneration of worn cartilage and lost synovial fluid in the body. Ultimately, you regain the ease of movement.

Autologous plasma injections and other modern treatments for hip pain and osteoarthritis

Before the emergence of PRP therapy, physicians treated osteoarthritis of the hip in a variety of ways:

● Injections of corticosteroids in the hip area showed a short-term positive effect. However, new research results have demonstrated that steroids can cause side effects and wear down the cartilage even more.

● Hyaluronic acid injections appear to be an appropriate treatment approach as this acid is a key component of synovial fluid. However, this method only provides temporary relief, and long-term treatment may be required for patients.

● Analgesics help with pain but do not help the joints to heal.

● Doctors recommend moderate physical activity and appropriate exercise to strengthen the muscles around the injured joint and to aid in joint regeneration. One can also shift the strain to other muscle groups to ease the movement by reducing joint tension.

● For older patients with severe pain and a high degree of disability, doctors recommend hip replacement surgery. This approach helps the patient for a maximum of 20 years, after which the patient will most likely need to be operated again. Therefore, only a few doctors recommend this treatment. Nevertheless, in 2006 alone, around 542,000 knee replacement surgeries were performed in the USA.

Why is plasma injection the most effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip?

Compared to traditional treatment methods, plasma injections in the thigh area are the most effective treatment option.

This is because plasma applied in the treatment helps the body restore worn cartilage and lost synovial fluid. Platelet-rich plasma also activates chondrocytes, which are the building material of cartilage.

Blood plasma also contains growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, mesenchymal stem cells, and other elements that signal the body that a particular area needs healing. After a short time, the damaged joint receives a number of healing elements that contribute to its rapid regeneration. For this reason, swelling can be noticed in the specified area for a short time.

PRP therapy is not only the most effective treatment option, but also the most cost-effective compared to conventional treatment methods.

Injections of platelet-rich plasma in osteoarthritis of the hip

Members of the British Society of Rheumatology conducted a study on a group of 40 patients. Each of them rated the extent of their pain sensations. Radiographs showed that up to 70% of the patients had damage to the hip joints. The study was conducted as follows:

1. The doctors took 40 ml of blood from each patient. The blood was placed in 4 tubes each containing 3.8% sodium citrate, an anticoagulant.

2. The tubes were placed in a centrifuge and spun at room temperature at a speed of 580 g ("g" is the force of attraction) for 8 minutes.

3. 2 cm2 of buffy coat plasma was isolated from the blood and 10% calcium chloride was added to the plasma.

4. Maintaining strict sterility, the doctors used a 20-22 G spinal cannula with the length of 90-120 mm to inject 8 cm2 of PRP plasma into the joint cavity. They used an ultrasound scanner to accurately hit the femoral head, or top of the femur.

5. Doctors injected plasma into the injured area a total of three times, 1-2 weeks apart.

Care of patients after injections of platelet-rich autologous blood plasma in osteoarthritis of the hip joints

Doctors have advised patients not to take anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, for 4 to 6 weeks after the injection. It's because inflammation is an integral part of the healing process and indicates that recovery is well on track. To ease the discomfort, doctors allowed patients to apply ice packs to the injured areas for 15 minutes three times a day.

Paracetamol was the only painkiller allowed. The injured area was to be left alone and tension avoided to allow the joint time to heal. If necessary, the use of a crutch was allowed to avoid excessive pressure on the affected area. Most patients reported noticing improvement 2-4 weeks after the first injection.

Recovery period after injections into the femoral joint

To fathom the therapy effect, the doctors asked the patients to fill out the WOMAC questionnaire and the Harris Hip Score (HHS). These values were calculated 6-7 weeks and 6 months after hip injections. At each subsequent visit, the patients reported a decrease in the level of pain perception and improvement in freedom of movement. Doctors also noted that 27 men and 13 women had positive findings. This parameter indicates that patients of both sexes experience the same beneficial effect of PRP treatment.

Plasma therapy of labral lesion of the hip joint

Plasma injections in the thigh area not only help with age-related destruction of the joints, but also with injuries to the labrum of the hip joint. This condition is characterized by worn cartilage around the hip joint that supports the femoral head in the joint capsule. As a rule, this injury develops in athletes playing such sports as golf, American football, ordinary soccer and ice hockey. Ballerinas also report symptoms such as pain, stiffness of movement and blockages of the hip joint. PRP therapy is an effective way to treat this condition as it allows the injury to heal without surgical intervention. Athletes and dancers can resume activities once their injuries have healed.

Opt for injections of your own platelet-rich plasma into the thigh area to treat the pain and discomfort caused by osteoarthritis and hip injuries. We assure you that the side effects of injections are minimal and this method of treatment is the safest.

Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the Dr. Renat Akhmerov®`s clinics

Our specialists receive professional training and undergo regular further training in order to be able to better help their patients. You can always register for a preliminary diagnosis and discuss the necessary treatment. We also follow scientific developments and share relevant information and research results with you. Our patients improve their health, increase their level of medical knowledge and achieve better therapeutic results using the Plasmolifting procedure.

Treatment of the shoulder joint using Plasmolifting PRP procedure

Orthopedic diseases affect us all in one way or another. Sports activities, injuries, old age and other causes lead to joint and muscle pain, which limits people's mobility and quality of life. The use of the body's own platelet-rich plasma helps in the treatment of many ailments. The Plasmolifting method has shown good healing effects for many years and enjoys well-deserved popularity among patients.

PRP injections in the shoulder area

Do you experience discomfort, difficulty in moving, or weakness when moving your shoulders? Do you feel pain when raising your arm above your head or if you slept on one shoulder the night before? Almost 67% of Americans experience such pain sensations in the shoulder joint from time to time. Among them are people who often face these ailments and play sports in which their hands are involved. In addition, there are older people who experience pain due to weakened or destroyed joint tissue. The good news is that platelet-rich plasma (PRP, Plasmolifting) injections into the shoulder area can help treat some of the causes of the pain.

Treatment of the shoulder joint may be necessary to relieve shoulder pain

Before determining the main reasons of shoulder pain, it is important to understand the structure of the joint itself.

The upper part of the forearm enters the rounded socket or articular cavity of the scapula. Several types of tissue that make up the muscles of the shoulder girdle hold the bone in place and facilitate its movement. In addition, the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac, mitigates friction between bone and tissue by absorbing energy from movement. The shoulder joint also has tendons that connect the muscles to the bone.

Shoulder pain occurs when tissue has shifted or become inflamed, for example because of:

● bursitis or tendinitis caused by excessive stress on the shoulder joint,

● tendon rupture, also caused by frequent use of the joint,

● constriction, which occurs when the upper part of the scapula rubs against tissues during hand movements,

● shoulder dislocation, when the upper part of the forearm is partially or completely dislocated from the joint capsule as a result of displacement or injury (the tissues of the shoulder joint can also be damaged),

● arthritis of the shoulder joint,

● fracture.

PRP injections into the shoulder joint help treat most of these conditions by regenerating the tissues that support the top of the bone in the joint capsule.

Conventional methods of treatment for shoulder pain

When you consult a doctor about shoulder pain, he will do a physical examination to check for swelling, tenderness, and and lack of range of motion in the shoulder joint. After that, he will most likely prescribe a list of diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the pain. He will send you, for example, to an X-ray, MRI or computed tomography. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe an electroneuromyography to examine the condition of the nerve endings in the shoulder area.

Often, patients are prescribed the following treatment measures, such as:

● keeping the injured joint at rest;

● taking anti-inflammatory agents and painkillers;

● physical therapy, which improves tissue strength and flexibility to facilitate joint movement;

● prohibition of movements that may cause discomfort;

● fiber optic camera surgery to remove scar tissue and repair torn tendons;

● application of anesthetic creams.

Treatment of shoulder pain with injections

To relieve pain and discomfort, your doctor may prescribe injections into your shoulder area, such as:

● Injections of corticosteroids that numb the affected tissue. However, recent studies have shown that such injections can weaken tissues and potentially lead to tissue rupture.

● Injections of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring component of synovial fluid in the body, to lubricate joints and prevent friction. This treatment option only provides temporary relief as hyaluronic acid does not heal damaged tissue.

● Shoulder PRP injections are an innovative treatment method that restores injured tissues by injecting concentrated healing elements into the diseased area. Platelets, growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, cytokines and other elements contribute to the repair of torn tendons and other tissues.

Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of PRP injections

Studies published in Pubmed have shown that PRP injections in the shoulder area are effective in reducing pain and increasing range of movement. In one study, doctors examined 17 patients with various causes of shoulder pain. Here's what they found:

● PRP injections given twice into the joint, 4 weeks apart, reduce pain caused by the destruction of shoulder girdle muscle tissue.

● An injection of PRP plasma reduces constriction by repairing damaged tissue in the joint capsule.

● PRP injections are effective in patients suffering from shoulder joint bursitis when the bursae filled with synovial fluid are worn out.

● Patients report a greater reduction in symptoms after PRP treatment than with physical therapy.

You will also come to believe that PRP therapy is less expensive than other treatment options while providing long-lasting positive results. Yes, there is a possibility that this therapy will not give the desired result. But one should definitely not worry about side effects of PRP injections.

PRP therapy for labral lesions of the shoulder joint

A torn glenoid labrum is another common cause of shoulder pain. The articular lip of the shoulder is a cup-shaped rim of fibrous cartilage that holds the upper part of the forearm or humeral head in the joint cavity. The articular lip maintains the stability of the shoulder joint and is part of the tissue system that includes the muscles of the shoulder girdle, tendons and other muscles.

If this cartilage is injured, the bone can become dislocated. The PRP injections in the shoulder area help to solve this problem because the plasma contains chondrocytes which are the building blocks of cartilage. If you have problems with frequent shoulder dislocations, PRP treatment of the labral lesion can heal them.

Recovery phase after PRP injections for shoulder pain

Most patients report a reduction in pain intensity and an improvement in range of motion within 3 months of treatment. PRP therapy has every reason to become the only treatment option that allows damaged tissue, tendons, cartilage and nerve endings to be restored and renewed. Because PRP plasma signals the body to heal a specific area and stimulates natural regeneration, you will start to feel an improvement in your condition in about 3-4 weeks after the first injection. Although there is no specific recovery period after PRP injections, multiple treatment sessions may be required depending on the severity of tissue damage.

Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the Dr. Renat Akhmerov®`s clinics

Our specialists receive professional training and undergo regular further training in order to be able to better help their patients. You can always register for a preliminary diagnosis and discuss the necessary treatment. We also follow scientific developments and share relevant information and research results with you. Our patients improve their health, increase their level of medical knowledge and achieve better therapeutic results using the Plasmolifting procedure.

Treatment of the elbow joint using the Plasmolifting method (tennis elbow, epicondylitis)

Orthopedic diseases affect us all in one way or another. Sports activities, injuries, old age and other causes lead to joint and muscle pain, which limits people's mobility and quality of life. The use of the body's own platelet-rich plasma helps in the treatment of many ailments. The Plasmolifting method has shown good healing effects for many years and enjoys well-deserved popularity among patients.

PRP (platelet rich plasma) treatment of elbow joint inflammation

Inflammation of the elbow joint, or epicondylitis as doctors call it, is a condition that commonly affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. Although it is referred to as "tennis elbow", symptoms of only 5% patients are directly related to sports. This condition is characterized by pain on the outside of the elbow just below the joint after excessive arm and wrist strain. While most people recover simply by getting enough rest and not putting weight on their arm for a while, treatment may also be needed if the pain is too severe and doesn't subside for a long time. One of the most effective modern methods of treating inflammation of the elbow joint is therapy with platelet-rich plasma (Plasmolifting, PRP), which eliminates the causes of pain, and not just masks unpleasant sensations.

Causes of inflammation of the elbow joint

People with epicondylitis often experience pain when they perform activities such as waving their arms, picking up objects, or other movements that involve their hands. You can trigger this condition in yourself if you keep doing the same movements at work and at home, or if you regularly lift heavy objects. As a rule, representatives of such professions as carpenters, butchers, painters and musicians periodically experience pain in the elbow in the course of their work.

The elbow inflammation occurs when the muscles and tendons that connect the arm and wrist become inflamed or small tears form between them. Tendons are usually poorly supplied with blood and therefore heal longer than injuries in other parts of the body. First you will feel a dull ache on the outside of your elbow. However, the condition can get worse later on, and the inflammation will make any touching of the elbow area painful.

Finally, you'll find that you can't even lift a pen or shake hands. In addition to tendinopathy in the elbow joint, pain can also occur as a result of arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain from the wrist can spread upward and reach the elbow.

Can elbow joint inflammation be cured?

In order to find the causes of the pain, you should consult your treating doctor, who would prescribe a diagnosis including X-ray and MRI.

If the disease has not progressed too far, simple treatment is sufficient. For example, you can leave the injured area alone and cool it to reduce inflammation. You may need to temporarily stop all movements that strain the tendons of the elbow. This gives the damaged tissue the time it needs to repair itself.

However, if the tendon is torn, comprehensive treatment measures may be required, such as:

● taking non-steroidal drugs to relieve symptoms;

● massage around the injured area to stimulate blood circulation;

● application of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments;

● physical therapy to strengthen muscles and stimulate their healing;

● ultrasound therapy, in which sound waves are sent to the affected area to help it heal by reducing swelling;

● cortisol injections in the elbow for pain relief; Recently, however, doctors have advised against this treatment option because steroids can weaken the injured tendon and cause it to rupture.

● shockwave therapy to stimulate muscle healing.

● PRP treatment of elbow inflammation to heal tendons and injured muscles.

Does PRP therapy help with tendinopathy?

Initial treatment includes resting and cooling the affected area to reduce swelling. If these options do not produce a satisfactory result, your doctor may recommend PRP therapy to treat elbow inflammation. Studies published in Pubmed have shown that PRP treatment has a positive therapeutic response in cases where other therapies are powerless. Doctors treated two groups of patients and followed them for 24 weeks. The researchers came to the following conclusions:

● 12 weeks after the PRP injections, patients reported a 55.1% reduction in pain with a successful healing of the injury of 75.2%. At the same time, in the control group of patients treated with other therapeutic methods, the intensity of pain decreased by 47.5% with a successful healing of the injury amounting to 65.9%.

● At 24 weeks, patients undergoing PRP therapy reported 71.5% pain relief, while the control group experienced 56.1% pain relief. In addition, in the PRP-treated patients, the wound healing rate was 83.9%, while in the control group it was only 68.3%.

● Physicians found that patients who received PRP injections continued to show positive therapy responses in the weeks that followed. At the same time, other patients experienced a halt in progress or a return of previous pain sensations after completing the treatment cycle.

Recovery phase after PRP treatment for inflammation of the elbow joint

If one opts for PRP therapy of the elbow, pain relief can be expected as early as 4 weeks after the first injection. As a rule, 3-4 sessions are prescribed with an interval of 2-3 weeks. Depending on the intensity of the pain and the degree of tissue damage, an individual therapy plan is drawn up.

After a few weeks, as the body continues to regenerate tissues in a natural way, an improvement in the condition can be seen. Most patients report positive results after PRP treatment and highlight pain relief within 6-12 months depending on the individual specifics of body regeneration. After the period has expired, another treatment session may be required to maintain the positive results of the treatment.

Why do PRP injections help with elbow inflammation?

It has been proven that the treatment of elbow inflammation with PRP therapy can achieve a better effect in relieving pain and discomfort than by means of other therapy methods. It is because PRP plasma contains a high concentration of growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, cytokines, chemokines, platelets and other trace elements. Growth factors stimulate the formation of new collagen, which forms the basis of connective tissue.

In addition, PRP therapy stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in injured tendons using growth factors and by supplying nutrients that are involved in the regeneration process. While other treatments only reduce pain, PRP therapy regenerates the tissue and ensures a long-term treatment effect. If your symptoms are related to carpal tunnel syndrome, you can choose wrist PRP treatment to reduce inflammation and restore joint mobility.

PRP therapy for elbow joint inflammation is a safe and effective treatment method

Considering that doctors make PRP plasma from patients' own blood, the likelihood of side effects from such treatment is minimal. Yes, there is a possibility that this therapy will not give the desired result. But one should definitely not worry about side effects. During the recovery period, follow your doctor's advice on do's and don'ts and you will definitely get positive results.

Have you tried any treatments for elbow pain? Has your doctor brought up PRP as a possible treatment option? If you would like more information on what platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is, please contact us. We are happy to share our knowledge with you!

Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the Dr. Renat Akhmerov®`s clinics

Our specialists receive professional training and undergo regular further training in order to be able to better help their patients. You can always register for a preliminary diagnosis and discuss the necessary treatment. We also follow scientific developments and share relevant information and research results with you. Our patients improve their health, increase their level of medical knowledge and achieve better therapeutic results using the Plasmolifting procedure