Of aging and platelet-rich plasma
Aging is inevitable.You can never stop it no matter what! When a person passes the age of 40, you can start hearing complains with your joints and this should not be taken lightly as it is an early warning of Osteoarthritis (OA). Although OA occurs in people of all ages, it is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles, and genes. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but one out two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives. One out of four adults will develop symptoms of hip OA by age 85. One out of 12 people 60 years or older develops hand OA. If you asked your older brother, uncles and aunties or even your parents, most likely they will have common complain.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA): Pain and stiffness are the common symptoms of OA, especially in the morning or after resting. Affected joints may swell specially after an extended activity, can you recall in your recent family vacation where you walk all the day on tour? Yes when you get back to the hotel then you can feel the joints shouting back at you. Bad thing about the pain it is reduces your mobility that I may lead to a negative health effects not related to your joints, when one reduces physical activity it promotes a sedentary lifestyle that in turn equates to weight gain and possible obesity. And this can lead to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Causes of Osteoarthritis (OA): Overweight and obesity can put additional pressure on your hips and knees, years and years of carrying the extra load can cause breakdown on cartilage which cushion your joints. Actually studies have shown that excess fat tissue produces inflammatory chemical called Cytokines that can damage the joints. Injury and overuse is another culprit to OA. Fractured joint and torn or partially torn ligaments can lead to OA. Some athletes thru hard training repeatedly damaged joints, ligaments and tendons which can speed up cartilage breakdown. Even our working class people are not immune to this especially if your work involves standing long period of time, lifting or moving heavy objects, this may also wear your cartilage faster. Muscle imbalance may also lead to cartilage detoriation remember muscle help supports your joints, it relieves stress on those points.
Treatment to Osteoarthritis (OA): Moving, is the easiest way to treat OA but easier said than done, how can one imagine to move if you are suffering from joint pain. Actually a simple walk in the park or around your subdivision will go a long way in helping maintain a healthy lifestyle, weight management plus proper form and wearing the right shoes will surely help also. Strength exercise, and training will build muscles around the affected joints, it is one of the best ways to ease the burden on your joints. Flexibility can reduce also the stiffness and help your range of motion. Keep this in mind “You LOSE what you don’t USE.” Cardio exercise like jogging, swimming and biking improve endurance and helps reduce weight but always consult your doctor before doing any exercise program. Medication are also available for OA. Pain relievers, antiinflammatory such as ibuprofen, celecoxib etc… are available over the counter or with a prescription. Then the more potent medication which is the steroids that can bet taken orally or injected into the joints directly.
I mentioned in my last article that I was suffering a knee pain and still managed to finish my 6th 70.3 Ironman pain free. Giving up the sport I love so much is far in my mind yet but the pains I have on my knees are telling me otherwise. But in search for an alternative solution for my knees, a good friend of mine Mr. Don Quioco introduced me to Doctor Chammy Dalawampu from Gienati, who was new to our morning group of Parents Basketball Assocation. The initials PRP then was introduced to me which stands for platelet-rich plasma. We had a short conversation regarding PRP and its benefits. That’s when I started to make a research on my own and initially found a few positive items regarding PRP.
Platelet-rich plasma treatment comes from your own body, so it is natural and only injections process carries a few risks. Though laboratory studies have shown platelet-rich plasma encourages cell regeneration, scientists do not completely understand how or why this happens. Experts still have many questions regarding platelet-rich plasma treatment. The prospect or the thought of this new treatment is exciting. The simplicity of platelet-rich plasma therapy adds to its drama, as does the lack of any obvious dangers or side effects.
The procedure is simple; a blood is drawn from your body around 30 to 60 ml. Then the blood is put in centrifuge and spins that separates the blood. On top is PRP which a concentration of platelets which is 5 to 10 times greater than in the whole blood. Then the doctor slowly injects the plateletrich plasma into the problem area. All of this can be done inside the doctor’s office, and patients usually go home or even back to work afterward.
So am I ready to visit Dr. Chammy and discuss further PRP procedure, pros and con? Let us find out the scattered (katag) and read more about it next week.