Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is one element of regenerative medicine that is used to support wound healing in both trauma and joint injury situations. Regenerative medicine works to restore the structure and function of damaged tissue and organs. Much of the groundwork for the field of regenerative medicine was laid by transplant medicine. Today, several approaches are being studied and applied by the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Regenerative Medicine to restore tissue and organ function. The goal of regenerative medicine is to find a way to cure previously untreatable injuries and diseases, as well as create solutions for organs that become permanently damaged by repairing, replacing, engineering, or regenerating damaged cells.
Top level athletes have received PRP for various injuries and physical problems which were previously treated with medications, physical therapy, or even surgery, such as sprained knees and chronic tendon injuries. Some athletes have credited this innovative therapy with their ability to return to competitive level sports more quickly. If you should suffer serious injury in a motor vehicle accident, platelet-rich plasma may play a part in your healing, also.
Understanding Platelet-Rich Plasma
What is platelet-rich plasma? Blood consists of liquid plasma and several solid elements; white cells, red cells, and platelets, which are best known for their importance in clotting blood. Platelets can do more than just help blood to clot; they also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors. These blood proteins are very important in the healing of injuries. Platelet-rich plasma contains a much higher concentration of growth factors (five to ten times greater) than is normally found in “regular” blood. Studies have shown that this increased concentration can potentially speed up the healing process.
There are two ways that platelet-rich plasma can help ramp up the healing process:
- A mixture of PRP and local anesthetic can be carefully injected directly into the injured tissue. With this method, it is possible that the pain at the injection site could increase for a week or two, and it could be several weeks before a beneficial effect is noted.
- PRP may also be used to improve healing for some injuries after surgery by treating the injured area with PRP during surgery. This is accomplished by specially preparing the PRP in a manner which allows it to be stitched into torn tissues.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Effectiveness
The effectiveness of PRP therapy can vary, and studies are being conducted to gather more scientific evidence that can verify the overall effectiveness of PRP treatment. Factors that can influence effectiveness include the overall health of the person being treated, the area of the body being treated, and whether the injury is acute or chronic. Common conditions being treated with PRP include:
- Chronic Tendon Injuries
- Acute Ligament and Muscle Injuries
- Knee Arthritis
- Fractures
- Surgery
PRP Therapy for Car Accident Injuries
If your doctor should decide that platelet-rich plasma is a viable treatment option for injuries you sustain as a result of a car accident, rest assured that the risks associated with this type of treatment are minimal. Because it is a fairly new form of medical treatment, an insurance adjuster may categorize it as experimental or risky, but that does not mean you shouldn’t follow your doctor’s advice, or that you aren’t entitled to compensation for medical expenses involved in receiving this treatment.
Because injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident can be complicated and often have long term effects on your physical and financial wholeness, we are prepared to fight for you to receive the medical care you need and get the compensation you deserve. Our number one goal is to establish a direct, meaningful, trusted and reliable relationship with you, and secure a settlement that is fair and reasonable. Our personal injury lawyers will work closely with you to make sure you are adequately compensated for any losses you suffer as a result of a personal injury received in a motor vehicle accident.
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We are proud to be part of one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys, 5280 Top Attorneys in Colorado, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Our personal injury attorneys aren’t afraid to take on the fight for a fair settlement so you can focus on getting the medical treatment you need to heal from your injuries, receive the compensation you deserve, and move ahead with your life.
Reach our injury attorneys at (720) 307-2666. Located in the Denver Tech Center at 7955 East Arapahoe Court, Suite 2375, Centennial, CO 80112. In Colorado Springs you can find us at the Alamo Corporate Center, located at 102 S. Tejon Street, Suite 1100, (719) 644-7000. Contact us for a free, consultation to discuss your legal options.