Why Platelet-Rich Plasma is a Game-Changer in Alleviating Arthritis Pain

Nearly 25% of Americans live with arthritis. It’s the most common joint condition in the country, making your joints swollen, stiff, and painful.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and the three most common are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and juvenile arthritis (JA). No matter which type you have, you experience chronic joint inflammation and deterioration that can make daily life difficult.

Arthritis can have a profound effect on both your mobility and your quality of life. There’s no cure, and many people find traditional treatments don’t significantly affect their pain.

Fortunately, you have another option: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Brian Lamkin, DO, and our team at The Lamkin Clinic specialize in this regenerative therapy that addresses arthritis pain at the source — and it’s poised as a game-changer in alleviating arthritis pain.

Here’s how it works. 

PRP therapy tackles arthritis pain at the source

Your joints are made of bones, cartilage, fluid, and other tissues that work together to bend and flex. Healthy joints move smoothly and painlessly, but arthritis changes how these components interact.

If you have OA, years of motion break down the cartilage in your joints. As cartilage disappears, bones grind against each other. If you have RA or JA, your immune system attacks the lining of your joints and creates inflammation. All types of arthritis are compounded by natural wear-and-tear, and they’re all painful.

Traditional arthritis treatment generally includes rest, activity modification, medication, and physical therapy. Sadly, these methods do nothing to change the cause of your pain, and offer temporary relief.

PRP therapy is different. It’s a regenerative therapy, which means it stimulates your body’s natural healing ability to start repairing damaged joints instead of dulling your symptoms.

PRP contains elements from your own blood that accelerate healing and recovery. Dr. Lamkin performs PRP therapy by injecting the solution directly into arthritic joints, where healing is most needed.

Over time, PRP therapy can:

• Alleviate pain
• Improve joint flexibility and mobility
• Improve joint function
• Improve cartilage quality

As a leading pain specialist, Dr. Lamkin can review your medical history and your symptoms to help you determine if PRP is right for you.

What to expect with PRP therapy for arthritis

PRP therapy is a drug-free option for managing arthritis pain. Dr. Lamkin and our team offer PRP injections in our office, and it’s an outpatient procedure with minimal downtime required. 

We start by taking a small sample of your blood, then spinning it in a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the platelets and growth factors, critical elements of your body’s healing mechanism.

Then, we inject the PRP solution into and around your arthritic and/or degenerative knees and shoulders. The injections take just a few minutes, and the PRP immediately begins attracting more oxygen, collagen, and other healing elements to your joint.

As the healing progresses, you can expect results to develop over the following weeks. Many people find that PRP therapy offers arthritis pain relief that lasts up to several months at a time. In some cases, the healing response is enough to alleviate pain much longer. 

Arthritis and Degenrative joint disease doesn’t have to limit you. Prevent furtther decline and progressive of pain. Schedule a PRP therapy consultation at The Lamkin Clinic in Edmond, Oklahoma, to find out if it’s a good solution for your arthritis symptoms.