How PRP Can Help Heal Damage Done to Your Upper Extremities

Injuries to your upper extremities — including your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand — can be painful and slow to heal. Whether you're dealing with tendon injuries, ligament sprains, arthritis, or post-surgical recovery, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can help.

PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses a serum of concentrated platelets — cells in your blood containing growth factors. 

The best part? Our team of experts offers this therapy here at Florida Pain Management Institute in Delay Beach, Boyton Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Read on to find out how PRP can help heal the damage done to your upper extremities. 

All about the healing factors in PRP therapy

PRP therapy relies on the healing factors already found naturally in your platelets. The healing factors reduce inflammation, stimulate cell growth, and promote tissue regeneration. 

Here are a few of the  healing factors found in your platelets:

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)

This growth factor stimulates cell growth and division. It also promotes the formation of new blood vessels and attracts other healing cells to the injured area.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)

TGF-β is involved in many functions, including wound healing. This particular growth factor helps repair cartilage, bone, and soft tissues. 

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Like PDFG, VEGF also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves blood flow to damaged tissues. More blood vessels means your body can deliver oxygen and other nutrients needed for tissue repair and regeneration to your damaged tissues.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)

EGF promotes skin and connective tissue repair by encouraging the formation of new cells and blood vessels. Studies show that when injected (rather than topical applications), EGF also helps speed up wound healing.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)

FGF supports the growth and repair of connective tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and skin. Like other healing factors, this also helps wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

IGF-1 aids in muscle, bone, and cartilage repair while stimulating collagen production. It also helps with overall cell regeneration and recovery. 

How PRP helps with upper extremity injuries

Now that we’ve covered how PRP can help heal damage, let’s talk about how our team uses PRP therapy to help with many different types of injuries. You may benefit from it if you have:

Rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries 

Shoulder injuries, like rotator cuff tears or tendonitis, can cause significant pain and limit movement. PRP injections help reduce inflammation, repair damaged tendons, and strengthen your shoulder joint — potentially avoiding the need for surgery.

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

Overuse injuries like tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) occur due to chronic tendon irritation. PRP delivers concentrated healing factors to your injured tendons. 

Hand and wrist injuries

PRP can help with ligament sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis in the wrist and hand.

Joint and tendon damage from arthritis

Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint, including the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. 

PRP injections can help heal damage from arthritis in a few ways. It can slow cartilage degeneration, reduce stiffness, and help with synovial fluid production by decreasing inflammatory cytokines in your joints. Increasing joint lubrication helps prevent more damage because more lubrication helps to reduce friction and pain within your joint.

Studies show that one of the healing factors in particular, IGF-1, delays arthritis progression, promotes cartilage anabolism (building and repair), and reduces cartilage catabolism (breakdown).

Post-surgical healing

If you've had surgery on your upper extremities, PRP can accelerate your recovery and shorten your recovery timeline.

Getting started with PRP therapy

To create your serum, your Florida Pain Management Institute provider:

• Draws a small sample of your blood
• Preps the serum in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets
• Injects your serum directly into the injured area

There are no synthetic ingredients, no incisions, and no surgery.

Is PRP therapy right for you?

If you have pain in your upper extremities from chronic overuse or an injury, you might consider PRP therapy. It’s especially beneficial for those looking to avoid surgery, reduce reliance on pain medications, or speed up the body’s natural healing process.

Want to learn more? Schedule an appointment at the location of your choice to find out whether PRP therapy is right for your injury and how it can help you get back to doing what you love — pain-free.

You can also call 561-331-5050 to reach any of our offices.