Joint pain can make daily life difficult. It can limit walking, bending, or enjoying daily activities. Many people turn to joint replacement surgery if they deal with constant pain. But Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is also option for those who want to ease pain and improve function without surgery.
The Regenerative & Joint Clinic + Aesthetics offers PRP therapy to support joint health and healing. It specializes in regenerative medicine, helping people manage pain and improve mobility using minimally invasive options. The company is based in Pocatello and Twin Falls. Check it out at www.therjcidaho.com.
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP uses your body’s own healing properties to help repair damaged tissues. The process starts with a small blood draw. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other parts of the blood. Platelets are rich in growth factors that promote healing and reduce inflammation. The prepared platelets are injected directly into the area of pain. This stimulates the body’s natural healing response and supports the repair of cartilage, tendons, or ligaments.
Why Joints Start to Break Down
Joints wear down over time, especially with age, repetitive use, injuries, or arthritis. In many cases, the cartilage that cushions the bones thins out. Bones rub against each other as the protective layer breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Osteoarthritis leads people to consider joint replacement. It affects the knees and hips the most. Surgery may be needed once joint damage becomes severe. But PRP may help delay or prevent the need for surgery for those in the earlier stages.
How PRP May Help Delay Joint Replacement
PRP can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve joint function. It works best for people in the mild to moderate stages of joint damage. It boosts the body’s natural healing process. This results in reduced pain, improved mobility, and slow cartilage breakdown. These benefits can make it easier to stay active and maintain muscle strength, both of which are important for joint health.
Comparing PRP to Joint Replacement
Joint replacement surgery can be life-changing for people with advanced joint damage, but it also comes with risks and a long recovery. Many patients want to avoid surgery if possible, especially if they are younger, active, or have other health conditions that make surgery less ideal.
PRP is a non-surgical treatment. It can be done in a medical office and typically takes less than an hour. Some patients may feel soreness for a day or two after the injection, but most return to normal activities shortly after. Because PRP uses your own blood, there is little risk of allergic reaction or rejection.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PRP?
Not everyone is the right candidate for PRP therapy. It works best in the early stages of joint damage, which means before bone-on-bone contact becomes severe. People with mild to moderate arthritis, tendon injuries, or joint inflammation may see the most benefit.
Doctors will usually do an examination and imaging to see how damaged the joint is. PRP may be a good option to try before considering surgery if there is still some healthy cartilage or if the joint is just inflamed., It is also a good choice for people who want to delay surgery until later in life or avoid taking long-term pain medications.
What to Expect from Treatment
PRP therapy usually involves one to three injections spaced over a few weeks, depending on the condition being treated. Results can vary, but many people notice gradual improvement in pain and movement over several weeks.
PRP supports healing in the joint. It is not a cure for arthritis, but it can give the body the extra help it needs to slow joint degeneration and maintain mobility. The therapy addresses the root cause of the pain and supports tissue repair. This makes it an effective option for people looking to stay active and avoid surgery for as long as possible.