an Injecting Plasma into the Shoulder Prevent the Need for Surgery?
PRP shoulder injections focus on the pathology linked to tears and inflammations in the rotator cuff, Frozen Shoulder, and various other injuries to muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. PRP injections join a myriad of substances that have been injected into shoulders over the years, such as Orthokine injections, hyaluronic acid injections (also known as viscosupplementation), steroid injections, saline injections, and stem cell injections.
The main difference between PRP shoulder injections and the injection of pretty much any other substance, is that PRP fluid is naturally produced by the patient, and is injected back into the patient’s body following an advanced technological process. No foreign substances are injected into the body. As such, PRP injections are a sort of natural treatment that enables the body to heal itself. They are considered extremely safe. Additionally, the treatment can be repeated as many times as needed. There is no concern for the future health of the injected tissue, unlike with cortisone injections.
The Stages of Preparing PRP Injections for Shoulders:
- Blood is drawn from the patient’s vein, just like in a simple blood test or donation.
- The test tube of blood is placed in a centrifuge; a mechanical machine that spins the test tube to separate the blood’s components.
- The test tube now has three distinct layers inside: (1) a layer of red blood cells; (2) a layer of platelet-rich plasma (what we need); and (3) a layer of platelet-poor plasma.
- The platelet-rich plasma layer is drawn from the test tube and inserted into a syringe.
- The physician injects the PRP fluid directly into the injured joint.
What is Frozen Shoulder Syndrome?
Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (FSS), is a condition that describes a limitation to the active and passive range that the patient’s shoulder is able to achieve. This causes difficulty and much pain, when performing simple activities, such as taking something off of a shelf, opening the fridge, putting on/taking off a coat, fastening a bra or seat belt, etc. While these symptoms can be extremely painful, they generally do not reflect any visible pathology in imaging.
The syndrome can be divided into four stages:
- Painful
- Freezing
- Frozen
- Thawing
Each of these stages is characterized in its own, unique way, and each person experiences them slightly differently. However, without treatment, the road to near-complete recovery can last about two years.
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
A tear in the shoulder muscles, also known as the Rotator Cuff, is a tear of one or more of the muscles or tendons that, together, make up the Rotator Sleeve (Supraspinatus, Subscapularis, Teres Minor, and Infraspinatus). Typically, this sort of tear involves the Supraspinatus. This is one of the most common shoulder injuries experienced, as it can stem from engaging in sports, as well as from the natural muscle generation that people experience with age. The afflicted muscles and tendons also happen to be those that are responsible for the shoulder joint’s stability and the arm’s ability to perform external rotations.
PRP Shoulder Injections Offer Clear Advantages over Other Treatments:
An accessible resource
Our bodies course with blood that’s available for use and can be drawn, so that its PRP can be cleansed and re-injected into the shoulder. Platelets are blood cells that have been linked to the creation of natural blood clotting processes following an injury. They are comprised of proteins that are responsible for promoting new growth and support healing. As such, PRP treatments are based on the use of platelet-rich plasma to accelerate those healing processes that naturally take place within our bodies.
Healing, the natural way
PRP contains a high concentration of platelets that have been cleansed, after being drawn from the patient’s own blood. Platelet-rich plasma encourages growth in the number of regenerating cells; by injecting the PRP back into the patient’s body, we basically flood the joint with platelet-rich plasma, giving it the boost of natural resources it needs to supercharge its recovery process. The main goals of this treatment are to reduce pain, improve functioning, and accelerate the injured tissue’s healing and regeneration processes, without concern for any future damage.
An easy and simple process For patients, the treatment is no more than a simple blood draw (from their own vein), and an injection into the affected joint (in this case, into the shoulder). The rest of the process is taken care of by the physician, while the patient sits back and relaxes.
An innovative, breakthrough treatment
Many studies have evidenced PRP injections’ effectiveness, in the treating of various orthopedic injuries. In many cases, the treatment is even considered a legitimate alternative to shoulder replacement surgery (and is recognized by private insurance companies). Many elite athletes have already uncovered PRP injections’ hidden potential, and regularly undergo treatment, even in the absence of injury, to encourage cell regeneration in target tissue, and prevent future damage.
Exceptional precision
Note that PRP orthopedic treatments are essentially different from PRP hair or face treatments (aesthetic medicine), in that they are injected into the joints, instead of superficially into the scalp (for example). As such, it’s important to ensure that the treatment is only administered after an expert orthopedist precisely diagnoses the condition. The orthopedist must be proficient in joint structure and know how to optimally inject the PRP into the joint. In some cases, injections into the shoulder should be administered while an ultrasound is being performed, to ensure maximum precision, and the best possible results.
A fast process
The process of injecting PRP into the shoulder usually takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. No general anesthesia or invasive procedures are required, enabling the patient to return to their place of work or other daily activities, as soon as the treatment is completed.
PRP injections are suited to a variety of orthopedic applications, including: mild tears, Plantar Fasciitis, tendon injuries, infections in the Achilles Tendon, stress fractures (reducing recovery time), and joint inflammations. It is of extreme importance that any patient receives a professional consultation from an expert and licensed orthopedist, who is experienced in providing the treatment.
What Can Be Expected, Following a PRP Treatment?
Patients start to feel improvements within a few weeks of undergoing PRP injections. However, in many cases, positive change can be seen within just a few days. Typically, two or more injections are required, to promote positive, long-term results.
How Much Do PRP Shoulder Injections Cost?
A PRP shoulder injection costs just 2,000 NIS per session. This cost is influenced by the nature of the injury, the required injection site, the patient’s clinical state, and other potential complexities (for example, the cost of a PRP shoulder injection under ultrasound will cost slightly more than an injection that is not performed under a form of imaging).
Do State or Private Health Insurance Companies Cover PRP Shoulder Injections?
If you have private insurance, you could receive up to 100 percent of the cost of PRP injections back from your provider! Private insurance companies (such as Migdal, Menora, Harel, etc.) recognize PRP shoulder injections as an alternative treatment to surgery, and cover 80 to 100 percent of their cost, with the exact amount varying, depending on the specific insurer and policy. It is recommended to contact your insurance company about how high their coverage is, before arriving at your consultation appointment. Unfortunately, none of the state health insurance providers – Maccabi, Clalit, Leumit, and Meuchedet – provide coverage or returns for PRP shoulder treatments, as they are not included in the government healthcare “basket” as of yet.
Are There Side Effects to PRP Shoulder Injections?
As the treatment is natural and no foreign substances are injected into the patient’s body, any potential side effects are negligible and barely experienced. Some patients experience slight irritation or pain at the injection site; these side effects disappear on their own within one to three days of the treatment. In extremely rare cases, side effects can last up to seven days from the treatment. Additionally, some slight local swelling can occur.
To book a consultation with an expert orthopedist who specializes in shoulder treatments, fill in your details below or call us at: 058-466-4664