Shoulder Joint Deterioration: How PRP Can Help

One of the most common ways to injure your shoulder joint is through repetitive movements or overuse, such as in sports or manual labor. This can lead to the deterioration of the tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint, causing immense pain and limiting mobility.

Steroid injections and surgery are usually the first options that come to mind when we think about treating joints with pain. Steroids can destroy cartilage and the “life” of joints, so you’ll likely end up with the same issue. Soon enough you will have bone on bone, and you’ll need to go for surgery for a joint replacement. Another option gaining traction in the medical community is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Patients with Shoulder issues that respond well to PRP treatments include Osteoarthritis, Rotator cuff tears (Partial or complete), Bursitis, and tendonitis. Patients can usually expect relief from their pain after one treatment! It’s an in-office procedure that is pain-free and has no downtime. The whole procedure takes about 45 minutes from start to finish! During PRP therapy, a sample of the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in our FDA-cleared centrifuge to separate and concentrate platelets.

These platelets contain growth factors that can aid in tissue healing and regeneration. The concentrated solution is then injected into the affected area, promoting healing at an accelerated rate. PRP therapy has been reported to help with reduced joint pain, improved range of motion and mobility as well as lessening the need for OTC medications. Some patients even report an increase in strength or inflammation reduction!

PRP therapy has shown promising results for shoulder joint deterioration, with studies reporting improvement in pain and function. However, it is important to note that PRP is not a cure-all and may not be effective for all patients. It is best to consult with Dr. Ibrahim, MD to determine if PRP therapy is right for you. Call Better Life Clinics today!