Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two of the most common sources of the type of wear-and-tear that often affects hip joints.
If you have this type of hip-related discomfort, you may be a good candidate for PRP and stem cell therapy for hip pain in Los Angeles. Both of these injection-based treatments promote healing and regeneration by using beneficial substances produced naturally by your body.
How Do Platelets and Stem Cells Help with Hip Pain?
A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection works on damaged or inflamed tendons, ligaments, or muscles in your hip area. This mixture is so-named because it contains a significantly higher concentration of platelets than what’s normally found in blood. It also has an abundance of beneficial proteins called growth factors that help your body’s tissues heal and regenerate.
Stem cells, which are collected from your fat tissue or bone marrow, work on tissues in the hip area in much the same way. These are cells that have yet to have a specific purpose attached to them, which allows them to help tissues in your hip area heal and grow in a way that’s healthy. If you respond well to PRP and stem cell therapy for hip pain in Los Angeles, you may experience:
- Improved mobility and flexibility
- An ability to return to your preferred activities
- A reduced risk of falling and sustaining additional hip-related injuries
What Happens Before PRP and Stem Cell Therapy for Hip Pain in Los Angeles?
Before considering PRP and/or stem cell therapy for hip pain, it’s generally advised that you try more traditional treatments first. However, if physical therapy, steroid injections, oral medication, and strengthening exercises aren’t effective, PRP and stem cell therapy may become an option. Tests will also be performed to positively determine what’s causing your hip pain. This information will allow the doctor to know which area of your hip to target with injections.
What Can You Expect During and After Treatment?
After the PRP or stem cell mixture is prepared, the area of your hip that will be injected will be cleaned. An ultrasound or live X-ray called a fluoroscopy is often used to guide the needle. There may be some soreness after treatment, but applying an ice pack or using over-the-counter pain-relievers can ease this temporary discomfort.
How Many Injections Do You Need for Hip Pain?
There is no standard answer to this question. Some people with hip-related symptoms only need to receive PRP and stem cell therapy for hip pain in Los Angeles once to experience the desired results. However, if tissues in your hips are severely damaged or inflamed, multiple treatments may be more beneficial for you.
Results from PRP and stem cell therapy for hip pain in Los Angeles aren’t immediate. It takes time for both growth factors and stem cells to interact with tissues. However, if meaningful relief is experienced, results tend to be long-lasting. This is because the source of your hip pain is treated, not just your symptoms. Side effects associated with both treatments are minimal.