Do PRP Injections Help Shoulder Pain?
Got shoulder pain? Have you tried OTC anti-inflammatory meds? How about heating pads? Did you get massages thinking that would help? If none of those options has relieved that nagging shoulder pain and you do not want to have surgery, maybe it’s time to try something else. Do platelet rich plasma, or PRP, injections help shoulder pain? Let’s find out.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in Kirkland
Our blood is made up of plasma, white cells, red cells, and platelets. The all important platelets contain protein growth factors which aid in healing and regeneration. Over time we can lose platelets making it harder to heal from injuries.
PRP therapy provides a concentration of platelets rich in growth factors to enhance healing. During this therapy a concentrated source of your own platelets and growth factors are placed directly into the area of the injury.
This is accomplished via drawing some of your own blood and placing it into a centrifuge which separates out the platelets. Your shoulder specialist then injects the platelet rich plasma directly into your injured area.
Depending on the severity of the injury, some patients may only need one injection while others may need 2 or 3 spread out over weeks or months.
The therapy is minimally invasive, performed on an outpatient basis, and requires no medications.
What Injuries Can PRP Help With?
PRP therapy with a shoulder doctor like Samuel Koo, MD, MPH can decrease inflammation and increase regeneration from any injury, especially muscles, tendons, ligaments, or from osteoarthritis in the shoulder.
Add in a low risk of side effects, and you may have a solution to your shoulder pain short of surgery.
PRP can relieve pain from the following:
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Shoulder torsion
- Arthritis
- Labral tears
- Rotator cuff erosion
Clinical studies have shown PRP therapy injections into the shoulder reduce pain and improve mobility. Patients confirmed that they got increased symptom relief from PRP than after physiotherapy.
Let PRP therapy stimulate your body’s natural healing process. If you’re not ready to have a surgical procedure for your shoulder pain, shouldn’t you consider PRP therapy as an alternative?
Not everyone is a candidate. Contact shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH at (425) 823-4000 for an evaluation of your shoulder injury and whether PRP is right for you. You can alternatively request an appointment through our secure online form.