5 PRP Injection for Knee Side Effects You Didn’t Know
Being an autologous treatment option, PRP injection for knee side effects are rare. If you do have any adverse reactions, they typically result from issues other than the actual treatment process. Like, for instance, contraindications or allergies to any of the equipment. To eliminate the risk, your doctor will screen you carefully at the time of signing you up for therapy.
Did you know that according to ScienceMag close to 20% of Americans aged 45 years and above suffer from knee pain?
It will also interest you to know that the wearing away of cartilage is one of the principal causes of the condition.
Given the surprisingly rising incidents of knee pain, researchers have been looking for solutions that give patients relief from the pain. Perhaps, one of the only options that can tackle the problem by fixing the cause is PRP injection for knee. But, before you opt for the treatment, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is about the possible PRP injection for knee side effects.
Should you discuss the issue with your medical practitioner, you’ll learn that since PRP is an autologous treatment, there is a very rare possibility of any side effects. Doctors extract the healing serum from your blood and since the body recognizes its own tissues, it is unlikely to reject them. If you do have any side effects, they could result from causes other than the actual PRP injection.
Any PRP Injection for Knee Side Effects Result from Unrelated Factors
If you’re planning on trying PRP injection for knee pain, it is advisable that you work with a certified and experienced practitioner. An expert therapist will take the necessary precautions to ensure that the treatment progresses as it should. Read ahead for an overview of some of the possible side effects you could experience, and how your doctor prevents them.
1. Side Effects Arising from Contraindications
Although any person can safely get PRP therapy, under certain conditions, you may not be the right candidate for the treatment. At the time of signing you up for the procedure, your doctor will ask you a series of questions to eliminate possible PRP injection contraindications. Some of them include:
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Recent fever, illness, or infection
- Smoking or excessive intake of alcohol
- Medical history that indicates severe liver disease
- Insufficient hemoglobin
- Inadequate number of platelets in the blood
- Any condition for which you’re taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications
- Recent corticosteroid injections
2. Side Effects Arising from Additives to the PRP Serum
During the PRP preparation processes, your doctor may add certain anti-clotting agents to the blood sample at the time of spinning. In case you’re allergic to any of these additives, you might show sensitivity. Your practitioner may also give you shots or topical anesthetics to relieve some of the discomfort from the injection. If you cannot tolerate the painkillers, you may show PRP injection for knee side effects. To eliminate these possibilities, doctors prefer to use epinephrine to help with the pain. Since epinephrine is used to reverse allergic reactions, you have this risk covered also.
3. Side Effects Arising from the Metal Used
In rare cases, patients are allergic to some of the metallic components in the equipment used. At the time of signing you up for the procedure, your doctor will check with you for any known allergies, and treat you accordingly.
4. Side Effects Like Infections
Trained medical practitioners maintain the strictest sterile conditions when preparing and administering the PRP injection. Rest assured that you’re unlikely to catch an infection from the procedure.
5. Side Effects Arising from Damage to Blood Vessels or Surrounding Tissues
In case you’re concerned about PRP injection for knee side effects resulting from the needle hitting blood vessels or surrounding tissues and organs, you need not worry. That’s because your medical practitioner will use advanced digital imaging devices to guide the needle with precision to the exact spot where it can initiate healing.
Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Knees
Similar to PRP therapy, stem cell therapy for knees is safe. But, only as long as doctors harvest the stem cells from your body’s fat cells. They can extract the stem cells from the fat that they harvest from your abdomen or buttocks. Later, this fat is purified to separate the stem cells that are prepared for injection. However, if the practitioner chooses to use donor stem cells or stem cells extracted from donated placenta, you do have a higher risk of developing side effects.
Does PRP Work for Knee Pain
Having eliminated the possibility of PRP injection for knee side effects, you’ll want to know if the treatment actually works. The National Center for Biotechnology Information has released results of a study conducted on a group of 44 patients aged 40 to 70. Each patient received three PRP injections spaced at intervals of 4 weeks.
All through the treatment, doctors evaluated the subjects for improvement in mobility, relief from pain, and a better quality of life. Their research showed that the patients responded well and were satisfied with the results. Of course, the most interesting factor is that none of the patients reported any significant side effects aside from the typical redness and swelling. These effects lasted for 3 to 4 days and cleared away on their own.
What to Expect After PRP Injection in Knee
Right after the PRP knee injection, you can expect to see redness in the treatment area. In the next couple of days, you may also see increased swelling. Your doctor will advise you to use ice packs to calm the inflammation. Keep in mind that the swelling is an essential part of the healing process and indicates that the treatment is working like it should.
Within a week, you’ll note that the after effects have settled down. Over the next 3 to 4 weeks, you’ll find that the pain and difficulty in movement are easing. And, this improvement continues right up to 6 months to a year. This response interval will depend on your body’s unique healing capabilities.
Are you concerned about PRP injection for knees side effects? Rest assured that the treatment is absolutely safe with a rare chance of side effects.
Do you have any more questions and concerns about the possible side effects from PRP knee injections? Do you need to know if you’re a good candidate and the treatment will work on you? Contact us and we will get back to you with the answers you need? You can also call us at this number: (888) 981-9516 and talk to a live consultant.
Have you tried PRP therapy for a medical or aesthetic issue? Did you get the results you were hoping for? Were there any side effects you would like to talk about? How about putting down your experiences using the comment box below?
References:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for knee disorders
Knee arthritis in Americans has doubled since 1940