PRP in Lansing

PRP Joint Injections

Joint pain and arthritis can be debilitating experiences for so many people out there, and while it tends to affect the elderly mostly, any age can begin to experience this condition. Thankfully, just as it can help your skin heal and your hair regrows, PRP is now being used for joint injections. When injected directly into the joint, there can be a huge reduction in pain, better joint function, and even possibly slow down, halt, or repair the cartilage damage.

The only real downside for PRP Joint Injections is that they may not work for everyone, however, this is true with many osteoarthritis treatments. While PRP is not a “cure-all”, there have been many studies that show it can provide potential success with very minimal risk involved. If you suffer from any kind of joint pain and are interested in giving this treatment a shot, please schedule your consultation with Dr. Ronan today!

What to Expect on the Day of PRP

Depending on what you are getting treatment for, the treatment will be slightly different, but regardless of what you are coming for, we will begin by drawing your blood to get the PRP. After cleaning and sanitizing the area of withdrawal, we will take just the right amount of blood for the treatment (about one to two ounces). Then the vial is placed in a centrifuge where it will separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood, which is then extracted. The microneedling device we use will then be used to prick your skin making tiny holes to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Finally, the PRP is applied to this area of skin to enhance the production and healing process.

Hair Restoration

We will first make strategic injections of the PRP into various locations around your scalp, then, use a microneedling tool to stimulate your hair growth. This will not only encourage the production of your hair follicles but also create a faster healing process. Before you leave, we might take a little more of the PRP and apply it on top of the treated area for additional stimulation. During recovery, it is very important to avoid using any ice packs or cold compresses to alleviate any potential pain on your scalp as the extreme temperature can create a negative reaction. Although aging and natural hair loss are inevitable, this treatment is a long-lasting one that will let you enjoy the results for years to come.

Joint Treatment

We will apply a topical numbing ointment to the treatment area to make your experience slightly more pleasant. Then with a syringe containing your PRP, we will inject it directly into joints that are in pain. While you may feel slightly sore and tender in the treated areas for a few days, you should gradually notice movement and comfort increasing over the next few weeks. While every patient will have a different reaction to the PRP injection, most clinical studies show that the treatment can last up to about nine months. If you begin to notice negative effects after this period, we will be happy to have another consultation with you to determine if this is a treatment you should try again.

PRP Recovery

After your treatment, we will apply a serum to help soothe any redness or irritation before we send you home. You may feel comfortable enough to drive yourself home, but we suggest finding a ride from a family member or friend just in case. You may experience some redness and signs of minor irritation for the next few days, but you should try to avoid using too many products on your skin to help the recovery process.

If you feel comfortable enough, you should be able to return to work or school the very next day. You will want to stay away from alcohol-based products and exfoliants during the initial recovery stage, and protect yourself from the sun using quality sunscreen. Until your skin is completely healed (about 72 hours), you will also need to avoid activities that cause excessive sweating or heat production. Sweating can cause additional irritation and rigorous activities can risk swelling and bruising.