Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment
Accidents of all kinds happen every day in the United States, whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, a sports mishap, or something else. Injuries to the knee that result from these accidents is also common. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) doctor can treat many types of injuries, and knee injuries represent a high percentage of patients. PRP treatment is increasingly popular because it is an effective alternative to invasive surgical procedures. It is also an alternative to taking potentially addictive prescription pain medications that may cause a variety of side effects.
Common Types of Knee Injuries that Result from Accidents
As most PRP doctors know, knee injuries are a common injury in accidents, particularly car crashes. Knee injuries are also common among those who play sports: tennis, soccer, football, rugby, and other sports that require players to twist and turn while on their feet. After examining your injury, our PRP doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy. Regardless of how the accident occurred, some types of knee injuries are more common than others. They include:
· Dislocated knee. When the knee suffers a direct hit, it can cause the knee joint to separate, or dislocate from its natural position.
· Knee strain or sprain. When the knee, or a part of the knee is damaged from tearing or over-stretching, it can cause injuries to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, or the capsule that surrounds the knee joint.
· Knee joint break or fracture. This is a complicated injury that may require surgery if the damage is extensive. Alternately, a knee doctor may determine that a knee cast is sufficient to allow the body to heal on its own. It’s important to seek medical care because if left untreated, the pain will be significant and the condition can lead to irreversible arthritis in the knee joint.
· Torn knee cartilage. The cartilage in the knee is a protective cushion between the knee bones, preventing contact between them. This is important as a safeguard to feeling pain, so when that cartilage is damaged, bone on bone contact may occur causing pain and extreme difficulty with walking or placing weight on the affected leg. In less serious cases, the patient may be able to heal without surgery but significant rest and physical rehabilitation will be necessary.
· Knee ligament tear. Whether a ligament in the knee is torn or stretched, it can be a long road to recovery. This type of injury is not unusual for National Football League players while on the field during practice or a game. The three most common types of ligament injuries are:
o Anterior cruciate ligament (often simply referred to as an ACL injury)
o Posterior cruciate ligament
o Medial collateral ligament