Corticosteroids are a popular treatment for a number of common conditions. Cortisone, prednisone, and hydrocortisone are the most popular corticosteroids used in the medical field. These steroids can be used to treat the following conditions and more:
These medications are available as tablets, injectables, inhalants, and topical creams, making them a viable solution for a multitude of health concerns. While corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and target certain sources of discomfort, they do not come without risks. Weigh the benefits and risks of corticosteroids here.
Benefits
Treatment with corticosteroids can provide a large array of medical benefits, depending on how they are used, and the condition being treated.
Corticosteroid tablets can be taken to reduce inflammation inside the body, while topical steroids can relieve itching and swelling of the skin. Injectable corticosteroids are an effective option for joint and muscle pain, while inhalant steroids ease the severity of asthma symptoms.
Along with the wide variety of uses for corticosteroids, another benefit is the speed with which they work. Corticosteroids take effect almost immediately, relieving your symptoms and helping you feel better in a matter of minutes.
Risks
While corticosteroids are effective, they do come with certain risks and precautions. The following are just a few of the side effects you may experience with corticosteroid use:
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Vision changes
Swelling around the face (moon face)
Skin lesions and bruising
Fluid accumulation in the legs
Slower wound healing
Bone fractures
Weight gain
Mood swings
Increased risk of infections
Before starting a treatment plan that involves corticosteroids, you should always review the risks and benefits with your medical team. Your doctors can help you determine whether steroids are the best course of action for your unique medical needs.
Regenerative Medicine vs. Corticosteroids
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field that aims to develop new therapies to treat a wide range of medical conditions, and many patients are exploring this option as an alternative option.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and corticosteroids are both commonly used in the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions, but they work in different ways and are often used for different types of injuries.
PRP involves injecting a concentrated solution of a patient’s own blood platelets into the injured area. These platelets contain growth factors that can help to promote healing and tissue repair. PRP is commonly used for conditions such as tendonitis, ligament sprains, and muscle strains.
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, are a type of medication that is often used to reduce inflammation and pain in the body. They work by reducing the activity of the immune system and can be administered either orally, topically, or through injection. Corticosteroids are commonly used for conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and other inflammatory conditions.
Both PRP and corticosteroids have their advantages and disadvantages. PRP can be more effective at promoting long-term healing and tissue repair, while corticosteroids can provide more immediate pain relief. However, corticosteroids can also have side effects such as weakening of the bones and tendons, while PRP is a relatively safe and natural treatment option.
The choice between PRP and corticosteroids ultimately depends on the specific injury or condition being treated, as well as the patient’s individual needs and preferences. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.
One of the most common chronic conditions in the United States is fibromyalgia. This disorder can affect both men and women at any age, leading to chronic pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for fibromyalgia. In recent years, regenerative treatments like PRP therapy have emerged as potential solutions. What is PRP, and does PRP Treatment help Fibromyalgia?
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the portion of your blood that contains a large number of regenerative platelets. This treatment uses your body’s own platelets to boost natural healing properties.
During a PRP procedure, a small amount of PRP is harvested from a blood sample and then injected back into your areas of concern. PRP therapy is being used to manage a variety of concerns, including everything from hair loss to joint damage.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common condition that can develop at any age. It is characterized by widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Fibromyalgia is believed to cause an increase in pain sensations by impacting the way your brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
Constant dull body pain
Fatigue
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Brain fog
Headaches
These symptoms can also be signs of many other conditions. However, when they occur constantly and in conjunction, they may indicate fibromyalgia. While fibromyalgia is a chronic and ongoing disorder, there are many treatment options available. One emerging treatment option is PRP therapy.
Can PRP Injections Be Used in Fibromyalgia Treatment?
Traditional approaches to fibromyalgia have involved prescription painkillers, physical therapy, and dietary changes. While these may be effective for some patients, many still struggle with ongoing fibromyalgia symptoms. These patients may benefit from regenerative approaches like PRP therapy.
PRP has been shown to be a viable solution to fibromyalgia symptoms, including chronic pain. Injections of platelet-rich plasma can be used to naturally reduce pain safely and effectively.
These injections interact with the affected nerves and muscles, reducing discomfort and curbing pain signals. PRP is considered to be a promising alternative to prescription medications, as it uses your body’s own platelets rather than chemicals. This means that side effects or adverse reactions are unlikely with PRP injections for fibromyalgia.
Regenerative treatments like PRP therapy are still being assessed when it comes to treating fibromyalgia. If you are currently struggling with fibromyalgia symptoms and looking for a new approach, speak to your physician about trying PRP therapy. Contact us at Stemedix today and ask our staff ” Does PRP Treatment Help Fibromyalgia? “. They are here to help!
Among athletic adults, chronic hip pain is common, affecting 30-40% of adults who play sports. In addition, adults over 60 are 12-15% likely to experience chronic hip pain, regardless of their activities. In the past, patients with chronic or acute hip injury pain typically had limited treatment options. The hips are the largest weight-bearing joints, making them more prone to overuse injuries and causing the hips to be especially difficult to heal. As a result, most hip injuries are treated with rest and physical therapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can potentially offer an alternative. Keep reading to learn more about PRP Injections for hip injuries.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain and injuries can affect patients of all ages. However, it’s most common among older adults. While some patients may experience damage in their hips due to a childhood illness or a structural abnormality, most injuries occur from overuse or trauma.
Hip injuries that patients often experience include:
Labral tears (damaging the cartilage)
Strains or sprains
Dislocated hip
Fracture
When a hip becomes injured, patients are more likely to experience other conditions that cause chronic pain in the hips, such as arthritis or bursitis.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Four components comprise whole blood: the red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each serves an essential function as blood moves through the body.
Platelets are part of the body’s healing response, clotting the blood, so your injury stops bleeding and releasing growth factors and anti-inflammatory mediators to help facilitate healing.
PRP starts with a sample of the patient’s blood, which then spins in a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the platelets and plasma from the white and red blood cells. As a result, PRP contains a highly concentrated number of platelets in the plasma.
Once separated, a physician injects PRP into the patient’s injury site to stimulate and expedite healing.
How Can PRP Treat Hip Injuries?
Several studies examine the benefits of PRP in treating hip injuries and pain, specifically hip bursitis, osteoarthritis, and labral tears.
Hip bursitis is particularly difficult to treat, yet studies show the condition is unlikely to resolve without medical intervention. However, recent reviews of using PRP injections to treat hip bursitis show patients experienced significant improvement after their injections. In addition, long-term data showed that patients still benefited from the injections two years later.
In patients with labral tears in their hip, a study examining the effectiveness of PRP injections to treat hip pain found patients experienced significant symptom relief, pain reduction, and improved function after their injections.PRP injections for hip arthritis also show positive results, with patients undergoing the treatment experiencing remarkable improvements in their function and pain within two weeks. With PRP injections, patients suffering from hip pain may have a new avenue to explore when searching for relief. To learn more about PRP Injections for hip injuries, contact a professional at Stemedix today!
Stem cell therapies and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are regenerative medicine treatments that use the body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair damage and restore function. Unlike traditional medicine, which often works to alleviate symptoms instead of targeting the source of pain or illness, regenerative treatments aim to heal the underlying cause of pain or dysfunction. PRP & stem cells often have overlapping benefits and sometimes are used interchangeably. However, the treatments have some significant differences.
What Is PRP Therapy?
Platelets are cells within the blood that identify damaged areas and bind together to start the healing process. Platelet-rich plasma comes from a sample of the patient’s blood placed in a centrifuge that separates and concentrates the platelets in the plasma.
Once concentrated, the PRP contains three to five times the platelets as a blood sample. Next, a physician administers the PRP into damaged or injured areas to expedite healing.
When you cut your hand, your platelets form a clot to stop the bleeding. The clot releases growth factors into the injured area to trigger the body’s repair response. The growth factors are released in varying intervals, drawing stem cells and new blood vessels to the injury site to promote healing through new blood and oxygen.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells are found throughout the body, mostly lying dormant until there’s an injury that triggers them to react. Then, they’re the only cells in the body capable of division and differentiation. When stem cells divide, they create more stem cells. However, when stem cells differentiate, they make specialized cells, like blood or brain cells.
Like PRP, stem cells initiate the body’s healing response. But stem cells can also repair and regenerate damaged tissue. For example, stem cells can offer pain relief by restoring diseased or injured tissue with long-term results.
How Do the Treatments Differ?
The critical differences between stem cell therapy and PRP therapy come from how they work and where they’re most effective.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP’s key benefit is the therapy’s ability to initiate and accelerate healing. The platelets’ growth factors can:
Regulate inflammation
Trigger the growth of new blood vessels
Activate the nearby cells’ healing activities
Protect healthy tissues
Since PRP mainly offers healing benefits, this therapy is often preferred to promote healing from musculoskeletal injuries.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells go beyond repairing tissue and can also regenerate damaged cells. Since stem cells can serve all the functions of PRP and convert to any tissue the body needs, they can treat musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative conditions, such as arthritis.
Stem cell therapies have the capability to replace and repair tissues to remedy the source of pain or damage, making them a potentially more comprehensive and effective option that may be suitable for treating a broader range of conditions. To learn more about PRP & Stem Cells contact us today at Stemedix!
Pain serves an essential purpose in the body. It triggers an unconscious physical response, warning you that something is causing harm and that you need to react. For example, if a hot stove burns your hand, pain tells you to jerk your hand away before it sustains more damage. In this article we talk about treating chronic pain.
However, chronic pain works differently. Chronic pain may stem from an illness or an old injury you should have overcome, but the pain persists. Some patients experience chronic pain from an ongoing condition, such as arthritis. Acute pain becomes chronic if it lingers for twelve weeks or more despite treatment and medications.
Chronic pain is challenging because there isn’t always a clear cause. Most chronic pain patients try to manage their suffering with medications, therapies, and targeted exercises. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy offers a natural alternative option for potential benefits.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments
Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma binds the three cell types together. When you’re wounded, platelets rush to the injury site to clot the blood and stop the bleeding. Platelets also contain proteins called growth factors that promote healing in the wound.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments start by drawing blood from a patient. Then, the blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma from the red and white blood cells. The plasma is now called “platelet-rich” and is administered to the injury or pain site.
How Does PRP Treat Chronic Pain?
Once PRP enters the location that causes pain or inflammation, the growth factors in the solution stimulate the body’s natural healing response. As a result, the PRP begins repairing damaged tissue, restoring normal functions, and reducing inflammation and swelling.
As the inflammation in the site decreases, pain and swelling may begin to diminish, and the patient may start to see improvements in range of motion and strength.
How Does PRP Compare to Cortisone Injections?
Both PRP and cortisone injections can provide relief to patients suffering from chronic pain. However, cortisone or corticosteroid injections only provide a temporary solution. In addition, cortisone injections might cause deterioration in the ligaments, bones, and joints.
While cortisone injections provide immediate relief, PRP injections have the potential to stimulate tissue regeneration and healing, relieving pain gradually as the area heals. The treatments may require some time to take effect, but they can provide enduring benefits. While PRP is a new treatment option for those suffering from chronic pain, it offers promising, healing results well beyond masking pain symptoms. If you would like to learn more about how PRP injections can help with treating chronic pain, ContactStemedix today!
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 900 million people around the world. Developing when the cartilage that protects your bones wears down, osteoarthritis (OA) most commonly affects the joints of the hand, hips, spine, and knees[1].
While current treatment for OA and related joint damage is focused primarily on managing pain and minimizing further damage, function, and quality of life issues, no preventative therapeutic treatment currently exists for preventing or rehabilitating the condition.
Recently, stem cell therapy has been found to be an efficient therapeutic approach for treating degenerative joint conditions, including OA. Specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), from adipose cells have been demonstrated to be the most promising type of stem cell for treating osteoarthritis.
In this study, Bui et al. studied the outcomes of applying MSCs harvested from adipose tissue in an effort to evaluate the therapeutic potential when transplanted in patients with grade II and III osteoarthritis.
Previous studies have demonstrated that PRP treatment of ADSCs promotes differentiation and proliferation into chondrogenic cells which resulted in improved healing of articular cartilage when ADSCs were pretreated with PRP. An additional study demonstrated the effects of PRP on the non-expanded stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in cartilage injury observed in an animal model, demonstrating significant regeneration of cartilage.
The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficiency and related side effects of non-expanded SVF when combined with PRP in treating OA grade II or III.
At the conclusion of Bui et al.’s study, patients demonstrated significant improvements in key measures, including improved joint function, decreased pain score, and improved gradual and consistent improvement observed in pre and post observations as measured by the Lysholm score.
As further evidence of the success associated with a therapeutic treatment combination of ADSC and PRP, post-treatment MRIs demonstrated cartilage regeneration and thicker layers of cartilage at the injured site after 6 months of treatment. In addition, all participating patients reported reduced pain levels after 3 months and 71% of patients demonstrated the ability to climb and descend stairs after 3 months. None of the patients participating in this study demonstrated infection, tumor formation, or any other side effect or complication as a result of this procedure.
As a result of their findings in this study, Bui et al. conclude that this therapeutic treatment method was successful in reducing pain, regenerating cartilage, and improving the quality of life for patients who participated. However, considering the small size of this study, the authors call for additional and larger-scale studies to confirm the potential for this promising, minimally invasive stem cell therapy for patients with osteoporosis.
This website and its contents are not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Stemedix, Inc. shall not be held liable for the medical claims made by patient testimonials or videos. They are not to be viewed as a guarantee for each individual. The efficacy for some products presented have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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