The below patient experience is from Danelle. She has been experiencing back & nerve pain for quite some time nd decided to give PRP a try to help ease the pain. Read her thoughts on PRP below.
What was your injury that was treated with prp?
I have had back pain since age 12 (41 now) Diagnosis’ include, lumberization (sp?) of the sacrum, slight scoliosis, one hip and shoulder that sit higher, DDD, and most frequently nerve pain.
I had surgery in May 2015 L-5 S-1 (not a true L-5 S-1 though, as my last vertebrae is naturally fused to my sacrum. And I have an extra vertebrae.) I had increased pain in my spine for a few days and then sudden numbness and pain in my left hip and leg, MRI showed a large hernia. Surgery went well, but about a year later started having extreme nerve pain in the left leg, and cramping.
Once in a while, an extreme cramp from my butt cheek to my foot. I can not stop it with stretching and they last 5-20 minutes. (I cry like a baby and can’t breathe……so painful!!!). Not like a charlie horse-like my whole hamstring would tighten, harder and harder. This would happen whenever -sometimes relaxing on the couch, sitting in a chair at a restaurant, or laying in bed.
Did you try any other therapy before you opted for prp treatment?
I have done PT, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and SI joint injections. The SI joint injections help, but the visits were getting closer and closer together. My pain management doctor wanted to do a spinal simulator. But I did not!
Why did your physician decide to utilize prp for this injury?
Every thing else had failed. He is confident this will help me.
What medical facility did your physician perform this treatment? Hospital? Physician clinic?
REJUV Medical in Waite Park MN - like a doctors office.
Did your physician have you follow a specific protocol the night before your prp treatment?
Just to eat healthy, get good rest and be very hydrated. I started some supplements 2 weeks prior to the injections, and stopped taking IBprophen.
Do you remember how much blood was drawn from you?
After they drew the blood, how long did you have to wait before the platelet rich plasma was ready for use on your injury? It was 320 CC and about 90 mins later I had the injections.
What did the physician do to prepare the injury site for injection?
Cleaned it. Draped me. I was in my own clothes just pushed out of the way.
Did the physician use ultrasound as a guide to place the platelet rich plasma?
yes
How did the injection feel? Explain. And do you remember how long the prp treatment took? If you had pain, how long did the pain last? Any swelling?
It felt like a shot about 30-40 times. some spots were more sensitive then others. It took about 15 minutes. No pain except being poked with a needle 30-40 times. Some swelling a stiffness right after. Sitting in the wheel chair, and getting in and out of the car were a challenge.
How long did the entire visit take?
Total 2 hours. We left for lunch during the 90 minutes they took to process the blood. 🙂
After treatment, did your physician wrap the treatment site? If not, what did he do post treatment?
A large bandaid. I could take it off with in the hour….just tiny dots of blood. I was able to shower the next day and sit in a bath tub after 48 hours.
What was your physicians post prp treatment protocol for you? Restrictions? Rest? Exercise? Stretching? Pain medication? Any specific directions you had to follow?
I was told to take it easy for a few days and start PT in one week. I was given a paper that said things like no massages, use heat or ice for pain. I was given a few prescription pain meds. Not a huge fan of taking those only did the day of, and next day, then just Tylenol as needed. Exercise was small movements on a PT schedule. I just did this at home, with increases each day in what I could do. No running for three weeks.
No high impact either, and only do what I can tolerate, which is not a lot right now. Some days I can lay on my back and lift my hips off the floor for 40 reps the next day I can lift it at all. Overall no improvement yet.
How much was the prp treatment?
$1800 (not cover by insurance)
Did the treatment work for you? If so, when did you start feeling better? How soon could you bet back to playing your sport?
I am in week 5. I haven’t had good results yet. I am still in pain everyday and very limited movements, and ROM. (some days getting my socks on is hard) I can not hop or jump or run at all right now.
Other comments or thoughts about your prp experience?
I am still hopeful it will work. I am doing my PT, taking my supplements and praying that this will work for me. I will post more later My doctor wants to see me at 8 weeks post procedure.
