Arthritis is the condition where one or more of your joints suffer from inflammation. For some people it can be debilitating, and can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a drastic decrease in your range of motion. There are two main types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is where your joints cartilage is worn down from wear and tear, and it can get worse as you age or be exacerbated by an injury or infection. If the situation gets too bad, you can have bone on bone, which is never good.
Rheumatoid arthritis is when the lining of the joint capsule (synovial membrane) is attacked by the body’s own immune system, so it’s an autoimmune disorder. The result is swollen and inflamed joints.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, or other orthopedic or sports medicine concerns, come into the office of Coastal Empire Orthopedics in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Jonathan Shults, MD, and James Dean, NP, are experts in treating the musculoskeletal system. Our goal is to always address all of your concerns and keep you thriving in optimal health.
There are several things to note as possible causes and risk factors for you having to deal with arthritis. It can be genetic and passed down, so know if your parents or siblings have dealt with the issue. The odds of getting arthritis increases with age, too.
Joint injuries are another factor, as is obesity. Too much weight on your joints can cause stress, pain injury and arthritis.
So what exactly is this regenerative medicine treatment, that’s also known as PRP? Many athletes have been aware of it for a while, but now it’s much more common for nonathlete patients, as well. It’s minimally invasive, convenient, and can be done right in the office.
When you come in to the office, we’ll draw a small about of blood and place it in a centrifuge that separates out the platelets and plasma. We’ll numb the area in question with a local anesthetic, and then guide the needle with ultrasound to exactly where we want it. Then we’ll slowly inject the PRP into the affected area, where the platelets promote healing by secreting growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration.
You need no downtime and can go back to work or your regular day. There’s also little to no pain, quick recovery, no scars, and it’s a great alternative to surgery. And because we’re using your own blood, there are no risks of negative reactions.
Some of the benefits of this therapy may include reducing pain, inhibiting inflammation, stimulating the growth of new joint tissues. The treatment also has the potential to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. While there need to be more studies on PRP treatments, the results so far are quite encouraging.
Come into the office and we’ll discuss your condition and get you going on platelet-rich plasma therapy. We want to help you with your aches and pains. Call us to set an appointment or book online with one click.
