My journey with PRP injections

My Journey with Bone and Joint Issues: Finding Relief Through PRP Therapy

Hi everyone!

I’ve been living with several of bone and joint issues for quite some time now. Many of you know that I struggle with osteoarthritis in my feet, knees, spine, and hands, and bilateral par fractures and a slipped spine called spondylolisthesis at my L5 S1. On top of that, I also deal with osteonecrosis, which means there’s a lack of blood supply to the bone and joint in my right knee. With all these challenges, I’ve had quite a journey in managing my pain and mobility.

One treatment I’ve often talked about is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. For those who may not be familiar, PRP therapy involves taking your own blood, spinning it through a centrifuge to separate the platelets, and then injecting those platelets back into the area needing treatment—in my case, my knee. I can’t emphasize enough how transformative this treatment has been for me. By opting for PRP therapy over more invasive procedures, I’ve managed to avoid knee replacements for almost 10 years!

While I’m not entirely pain-free (let’s be real, that would be a tall tale), I can say that several days a week, I experience significantly less discomfort. The mobility improvements have been remarkable! I can walk better, go further, and even tackle a couple flights of stairs—something I couldn’t do before PRP therapy. This treatment has truly been a game-changer for me.

One of the aspects I really appreciate about PRP therapy is that it uses my own blood. There’s no risk of rejection, which adds a level of comfort to the process. However, I do want to stress that PRP may not work for everyone. The effectiveness really depends on what you’re being treated for and the stage of your condition. It’s essential to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider to determine whether this could be a viable option for you.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: cost. PRP therapy isn’t typically covered by insurance, which means you’re looking at out-of-pocket expenses ranging from about $750 to $1500, depending on where you live in the U.S. Personally, I’ve had two series of three injections over the past decade, and every single one has felt like a blessing.

I urge anyone facing joint issues to explore alternatives to joint replacement surgery. If you’re experiencing bone-on-bone symptoms, you may indeed need that surgery eventually, but many people jump to that conclusion without considering other options first. PRP therapy is not the only option; there are also treatments like stem cell therapy (using your own marrow), prolotherapy, and A2M injections worth investigating.

If you find yourself in stages two or early stage three of joint deterioration, please talk with your doctor about potential alternative treatments before opting for that joint replacement. Every individual’s situation is unique, and exploring all available options can lead to better outcomes.

Here’s wishing everyone a pain-free day! Thank you for letting me share my journey, and I hope it inspires someone out there to seek out alternative treatments. Talk to you soon!