iPain Living Magazine — 7
cells the body produces. The PRP
is injected with the help of ultrasound
or x-ray guidance. As a person
with autoimmune conditions,
this procedure uses my own cells
to heal. This is an innovative and
effective alternative for those who
struggle with limited range of motion
and chronic pain.
I shared this revelation with my
husband. We learned that PRP
therapy is not yet covered by most
insurance companies. Still, when
weighing the cost—benefit analysis
pros and cons, we looked at it
from the standpoint of — how
much my limited range of motion
and pain was impacting my quality
of life and the cost of the procedure
seemed reasonable considering
how much it could ultimately
improve my range of motion and
quality of life, let alone the ability
to walk without a assistance. We
decided that I would have three
PRP procedures on my right ankle.
PRP has proven to be a highly effective
treatment for noted athletes
and entertainers with musculoskeletal
injuries. There were clear
potential benefits for non-athletes
and non-celebrities, too.
Those afflicted with injuries like
patellofemoral pain, an arthritistype
injury that in often found in
runner’s knee, or IT band syndrome,
another type of runner’s
knee injury, would be ideal candidates
for this treatment. So, too,
would those with other types of
joint injuries, such as osteoarthritis
and lateral epicondylitis —
otherwise known as “tennis elbow”.
My initial preparation for the first
of the three scheduled sessions
included a visit to the radiologist
for an MRI to help the physician
pinpoint exactly where to inject
the PRP. A few days later, I had
my first treatment of PRP — after
the phlebotomist found a good
vein and drew a few vials of
blood, I was rolled into the surgical
center’s surgery room and given
anesthesia and approximately
45 minutes later I woke up with
my ankle wrapped with an ice
pack on it. For the next two days
ahead, I iced my ankle several
times a day. Then, the ace bandage
came off and I was starting to
take steps on my right ankle without
pain for the first time in years.
My range of motion increased significantly;
I could move my ankle
side-to-side with much less pain.
My injury was concentrated in
muscles and a joint. These have
greater ability to more completely
and quickly absorb the benefits of
PRP than in bones or cartilage.
My second and third treatments
followed the same pattern, with
the cumulative effect of each ensuing
one, improving my overall
healing. By the time the third
treatment on my right ankle was
completed there was such success
that I was able to become aware of
the compromise — and pain —
my left ankle still had. With the
success on the right side, we then
signed up for three additional
treatments on the left ankle. After
several months, the pain in both
ankles had been reduced; I am
now able to walk around my garden
and my neighborhood.
Amanda Greene
@LAlupusLady
became an engaged
healthcare
activist after living
with Lupus (and other autoimmune
conditions: fibromyalgia,
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
for decades. Her struggles
made her advocate for herself;
now she also advocates for others.