Whether due to injury, aging, or chronic conditions like arthritis, joint pain can make everyday life uncomfortable.
Pain management specialist Leia Rispoli, MD, offers relief from the aches and pains of life, including joint pain caused by injury or chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. She uses her skills and expertise as a double board-certified physician to deliver a wide range of nonsurgical therapies to decrease pain and improve mobility.
A therapeutic approach Dr. Rispoli favors is regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Here’s what you need to know about PRP and how it helps with joint pain.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a regenerative medicine treatment technique that uses the healing components in your body’s blood to promote tissue regeneration and repair.
During this in-office procedure, we withdraw a small amount of your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, and then inject the targeted treatment area.
The concentrated platelets release growth factors that boost tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
A PRP injection contains concentrated proteins and growth factors that can:
These natural actions make PRP therapy a promising option for painful and often slow-to-heal acute and chronic joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and ligament injuries.
Your experience starts with a thorough exam and health review by Dr. Rispoli. If she concludes you may benefit from PRP therapy, she discusses the procedure in detail.
However, PRP therapy is a relatively simple in-office procedure that includes several steps:
A small sample of blood is taken from the patient.
The blood is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets.
Dr. Rispoli injects the concentrated platelet solution into the affected joint under guided imaging to ensure the PRP lands where intended in the joint.
You’ll be monitored for a few minutes to ensure you experience an expected response to the injection.
You may experience mild discomfort at the site. However, because the PRP solution comes from your blood draw, adverse effects such as rejection or allergic reactions are essentially nonexistent.
Dr. Rispoli tailors comprehensive pain management strategies to fit your needs. She may recommend PRP therapy for:
Research on PRP therapy is still evolving, but many studies and patient testimonials indicate that it can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve joint function. Some patients experience significant improvement after a few sessions, while others may need multiple treatments over time.
You don’t have to live with pain. Schedule a visit with Dr. Rispoli today for pain management services that tackle pain at its source, restoring pain-free mobility without surgery. Call our office in Newport Beach or Marina Del Rey, California, or request an appointment online.
