We need our joints to move through our lives. The ball-and-socket joints of our hips and shoulders let us side-step issues and reach for things up high, while even tiny joints like the ones in our hands and feet help us take on the day.
With roughly 350 of these connections throughout the body, it’s not surprising that you might run into some joint trouble from time to time. Some joint pain heals on its own. If your discomfort sticks around, though, we can help.
Here at Texas Pain & Orthopedics, in Pflugerville, Texas, Ike Malik, MD, specializes in helping people with joint pain. He personalizes a treatment program based on your symptoms, the affected joint, and other factors that are unique to you. For some people, that treatment plan includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Let’s look at what this kind of regenerative medicine can do for your joint pain.
PRP therapy uses your body’s own healing capabilities to your joint’s benefit.
The process starts when Dr. Malik takes a small sample of your blood. Then, using a centrifuge, he separates the platelets from the other components in the sample.
Your body naturally sends in platelets when you get hurt. For starters, they help your blood clot if you get cut. They also contain growth factors, or proteins that your body uses to kickstart and support its natural regenerative function.
Once Dr. Malik has the PRP ready, he injects it into the targeted areas around your affected joint. The growth factors in the platelets can then go to work, stimulating your body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Since it’s a form of regenerative medicine that taps into your body’s own healing power, Dr. Malik can use PRP injections to address many different kinds of joint pain.
He might recommend it if you have a slow-healing joint injury, you’re experiencing joint pain after a surgery, or you have arthritis, for example.
If Dr. Malik recommends PRP therapy for you, you should know that those injections won’t bring you immediate relief. It takes time for your body to use the growth factors. Most people start to notice improvement after a few weeks.
Sometimes, one round of injections offers enough for the joint to heal. If you’re dealing with a chronic condition like arthritis, though, Dr. Malik may recommend a series of PRP appointments.
For optimal pain relief, he might pair your PRP therapy with other treatments that may include:
With a personalized treatment plan behind you, you should be able to take on 2026 with less discomfort.
To find out if PRP could work for your joint pain or to have Dr. Malik tailor a treatment plan to you, call our office or book your appointment online today.
