Platelet-rich plasma – an innovative method for treating joint pain

We discuss the treatment of degenerative joint pain using platelet-rich plasma with Dr. Marcin Tomaszewski, orthopedist, specialist at the Wilmed clinic.

Doctor, is joint degeneration a common disease in our country?

Dr. Marcin Tomaszewski, orthopedist, specialist at the Wilmed clinic: Undoubtedly. It is estimated that degenerative joint pain may affect up to 30% of the Polish population. The group of people at risk is steadily growing, and what is concerning is the fact that until recently, joint degeneration was a condition affecting older patients, over 60-65 years of age. Now, increasingly younger people, around 30 years old, are appearing in medical offices complaining of chronic pain in the knees, elbows, or shoulders.

What is the cause of this?

While in seniors degenerative joint pain is most often the result of natural aging processes of the body, in younger people this disease has various causes, often related to a broadly understood lifestyle. Knee pain, for example, is often the result of injuries and trauma sustained during sports activities. However, regardless of the cause, any joint pain should be diagnosed as soon as possible. This allows for the implementation of effective treatment methods.

Moving on to treatment – what therapy methods for degenerative joint pain does modern orthopedics offer patients?

Many people believe that knee or elbow pain is a condition one must either get used to or try to treat surgically, which sometimes requires immobilization, medical leave, and long rehabilitation. Meanwhile, modern medicine knows many innovative, minimally invasive methods that effectively alleviate degenerative joint pain and can even completely eliminate it.

Example?

Platelet-rich plasma – if we may use a phrase from the fashion world, it is an absolute hit of recent seasons. This therapy method can be used by everyone, regardless of gender or age. It is minimally invasive, safe, and – as studies show – very effective.

It should be noted that platelet-rich plasma has wide applications in orthopedics and musculoskeletal traumatology. It is used, for example, in the treatment of so-called tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis, jumper’s knee, bone healing disorders, and other ligament and tendon diseases.

So how does this treatment method work?

Platelet-rich plasma is a substance obtained from the patient’s own blood, which after collection is placed in a special tube and then centrifuged. During centrifugation, leukocytes and erythrocytes are separated from the plasma. This plasma contains an increased number of platelets, which stimulates regenerative processes in the body. So, it can be said that it is a locally injected medication that our body is able to produce itself.

And I suppose this is where its exceptional safety comes from?

Exactly. Platelet-rich plasma is obtained from the patient’s blood, so it does not cause allergies or irritation because – to put it simply – it is not possible for someone to be allergic to their own blood. The plasma is completely biocompatible with the body, does not affect the functioning of our immune system, and does not interact with medications taken.

Does this mean there are no contraindications to such treatment?

There is a certain group of contraindications, such as cancers, active HIV virus, or pregnancy and breastfeeding periods. Therefore, the procedure using platelet-rich plasma is always preceded by medical consultations. Besides that, this method is performed on both young and older people, with varying intensities of pain symptoms. It brings very rapid and in many cases spectacular effects. Symptoms are reduced, joint mobility improves, and patients can live pain-free again.

Thank you for the interview!

About how to cope with degenerative joint disease in the Pytania na Śniadanie program with Dr. Marcin Tomaszewski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEluUkACD0&feature=youtu.be

More information about platelet-rich plasma therapy: https://en.wilmed.pl/services/ortopedia/terapia-osoczem-bogatoplytkowym/