Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it impacts more than 32.5 million adults in the United States. Characterized by joint pain due to the degeneration of joint cartilage, osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints.
Given the prevalence of osteoarthritis, new therapies to alleviate its symptoms have gained attention in recent years. While in past years, over-the-counter and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, were the main treatment for osteoarthritis, regenerative treatments including PRP and stem cell therapy are now available for patients with OA.
PRP For Osteoarthritis
PRP, which stands for platelet-rich plasma, is a regenerative treatment that can aid in osteoarthritis treatment. It works by supporting and speeding up the body’s natural healing processes. PRP is derived from the platelets in the patient’s own blood, making it a safe and effective OA treatment option.
Platelets contain many crucial proteins and growth factors. In PRP therapy, they’re used to direct tissue healing and ease the inflammation that causes pain in osteoarthritis patients. To obtain PRP, we draw the patient’s blood and put it into a centrifuge, which both isolates and concentrates the platelets. Then, the concentrated platelets are suspended in blood plasma before being injected with ultrasound guidance into the treatment area.
In osteoarthritis patients, PRP can:
- Reduce joint pain
- Improve joint mobility
- Support the healing and slow the degeneration of damaged cartilage
ReNu For Osteoarthritis
ReNu is a regenerative treatment containing stem cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components. It provides powerful anti-inflammatory effects for osteoarthritis, helping to heal the joint and even slow or stop joint degeneration.
As a minimally -invasive treatment, ReNu is a revolutionary therapy for osteoarthritis. It consists of a single injection into the treatment area, and after the treatment session, you’ll need to avoid heavy exercise for two days. This short period of downtime offers far greater convenience to patients than surgical methods.
If you’re interested in these regenerative therapies for osteoarthritis, schedule an appointment at Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine.