Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of upper extremity pain. In fact, research shows that carpal tunnel syndrome affects between three and six percent(opens in a new tab) of people in the general population – but just because the condition is common doesn’t mean it isn’t painful, debilitating in some cases, and often a cause for orthopedic specialists to recommend surgery.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may afford a minimally-invasive or non-surgical solution to pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome, and the data behind it is promising. Dr. Trevor Turner(opens in a new tab) wants his patients to be aware of how PRP therapy may help them recover from carpal tunnel and associated wrist pain:
What is PRP? How Does It Work?
To understand how PRP can help patients recover from carpal tunnel syndrome, we should first understand how PRP therapy works. Your blood is full of platelets, which contain proteins called growth factors and cytokines. These proteins are responsible for your body’s healing process, from its inflammatory response to the healing of soft tissue and the formation of new bone. As the name suggests, platelet-rich plasma is “rich” in platelets. During PRP therapy, an experienced physician like Dr. Turner will use a sample of your own blood to create a concentrate of plasma that contains the optimal amount of these healing proteins, then inject it into your affected area. This stimulates your body’s natural healing process, creating a faster, more effective recovery, potentially without the need for surgery.
How Does PRP For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Work?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow structure on the underside (palm side) of your hand that is surrounded by bones and ligaments. When these ligaments become swollen due to injury, overuse, or other causes, they can press down into the carpal tunnel, putting pressure on the median nerve that runs inside. This pressed (or “impinged”) nerve is ultimately the cause of the numbness and pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies suggest that in some mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, PRP injections can help alleviate these symptoms by accelerating the healing process within those ligaments, causing a reduction in swelling and an improvement in their overall function.
What Does the Data Suggest?
The National Library of Medicine reports a study(opens in a new tab) conducted by researchers on eighty-one patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, with severity ranging from serious to mild. These patients had all received a single injection of platelet-rich plasma in at least two years, and all patients were interviewed about their condition before their injection vs their condition following PRP therapy. According to this study, more than 50% of patients reported feeling relief from their symptoms following their injection, and about 70% of patients reported a generally positive outcome more than two years after their PRP treatment had been administered.
What Can You Expect from Carpal Tunnel PRP Therapy?
If you’re interested in PRP therapy to potentially help you find relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, you’re probably wondering what that treatment will look and feel like. Here’s how PRP therapy works at Dr. Trevor Turner’s practice:
- A member of Dr. Turner’s highly-trained staff will draw a sample of your blood.
- An expert technician will process the blood sample in an on-site sterile laboratory, using a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
- Dr. Turner will reinject the platelet-rich plasma into your hand’s affected tissues using ultrasound or x-ray guidance.
Dr. Turner utilizes Greyledge(opens in a new tab) to provide top-tier PRP that can be customized to your age, condition, medical history, and injury pattern, ensuring that you’ll be injected with the most effective product to help your hand and wrist heal.
If you’d like to learn more about how PRP can help you find relief from hand and wrist pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome, reach out to Dr. Trevor Turner. Dr. Turner is passionate about educating his patients on the benefits of safe, high-quality biologics for helping them reach a faster, more effective, longer-term recovery.
If you’re ready to live life without chronic pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Turner and get started on your road to recovery!
