NERVE ENTRAPMENT RELEASE WITH PLATELET RICH PLASMA
We have been finding new and innovative ways to use platelet-rich-plasma to greatly improve the quality of life for our patients.
Scar tissue after surgery or trauma can compress nerves and cause painful neuropathy. Symptoms include tingling, numbness and pain, either sharp or burning, which can shoot down the extremity. Muscle atrophy and weakness are common due to inability to fully use the extremity. Pain can persist indefinitely and limit quality of life. Finding the exact source of pain can be difficult. Surgery may be ineffective, and even worsen pain by producing more scar tissue.
Recently, a 50-year-old woman developed pain in her left leg after surgery to remove a tumor. The pain was burning, incessant, and radiated to her foot. She took narcotics and other pain medications for six years, which interfered with her activities and quality of life.
She came to come to IPM, where ultrasound evaluation revealed the sites of nerve entrapment in her leg caused by the previous surgery. She received two sets of platelet rich plasma injections (PRP) along the path of the nerve. Since then she has been able to discontinue all pain medications, because she did not need them anymore.
This described use of PRP to separate the entrapped nerve from the surrounding tissue can resolve the nerve pain. The procedure involves injection of fluid around the nerve at the site of compression. We use autologous stem cells from the patient, or platelet rich plasma (PRP), injected into the problem area. Ultrasound guidance is crucial for accurate needle placement. If the needle placement is off by more than a fraction of an inch, the injection will not be effective. Ultrasound provides minute detail of anatomy. It assures exact placement of material around the nerve to create separation and give the nerve more space.
Nerve entrapment may occur almost anywhere in the body. The most common sites are in the arms and legs, and in the neck and shoulders, causing migraine headaches. Patient may live with pain for years, submitting to ineffective treatments and taking daily narcotics. Instead, this safe outpatient procedure may give permanent relief.
For more information about this amazing treatment which can even eliminate the need for pain medication, please call out office to make an appointment at 949-600-5100.
Allan Sosin MD