A medical expert from Royal Bahrain Hospital makes it possible for patients with special orthopaedic conditions to find relief with a safe, non-surgical method.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a procedure that utilises platelets from the patient’s own blood to rebuild damaged blood tissue. The process involves the separation of platelets from the blood cells. The concentration of the blood is then increased through a process called centrifugation, combined with the remaining blood and injected back into the patient.
This therapy is administered by Dr Anastasia Athanasiou, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Royal Bahrain Hospital. It is carried out in the operating theatre to ensure a sterile environment and utmost safety for the patient. After the operation, the patient is transferred to the recovery room and is encouraged to resume normal activities before being discharged, to ensure appropriate healing and effectiveness of the treatment.
The most common orthopaedic conditions that can be improved with PRP include arthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and ankle, and also acute and chronic ligament and tendon injuries. In addition, it is used with other procedures – arthroscopic meniscectomy, patellar resurfacing or ACL reconstruction – to enhance surgical effects.
PRP Therapy is absolutely safe when performed by a skilled physician in a sanitised environment. The side effects are similar to those of a regular blood test, which include possible mild pain on the site of the injection, redness or minor swelling. Patients who have opted for this practice have displayed long-term pain reduction, improvement of a range of motion and faster recovery from injuries.
