PRP EXPERT IN PITTSBURGH FOR BASILAR THUMB ARTHRITIS AND LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
The thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb is one of the most commonly affected joints by osteoarthritis (OA), with a prevalence ranging from 15-36% in females and 5-11% in males. It can be functionally debilitating, with symptoms including diminished range of motion, weakness of pinch, deformity, instability, and pain.
Common nonsurgical treatment options include oral and topical NSAIDs, hand therapy, activity modification, splinting, and intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has emerged as a viable alternative to corticosteroid injection into the thumb CMC joint. More and more literature support this therapeutic approach, and a recent study has demonstrated that at a 6-month follow-up, patients in the PRP group showed a 90 percent decrease in pain from baseline, while the steroid group showed an 8 percent increase in pain!
PRP injections are associated with pain relief; increased function in activities of daily living; increased grip, key, and pinch strengths; and increased thumb flexion, as compared to corticosteroid injection.
If you would like to be evaluated to see if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy for your thumb arthritis please give our office a call to schedule an appointment.
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as ‘tennis elbow,’ is a degenerative disorder of the common extensor origin at the outer part of the elbow. The prevalence in the general population ranges from 1% to 3% with a peak prevalence in the fifth decade. It is also associated with job related trauma, seen most commonly in jobs which involve manual lifting and use of vibrating tools.
The mainstay of treatment includes physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, topical and oral NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injections. There is a subgroup of patients however who do not respond to these non-operative measures require operative intervention.
PRP has been shown to provide long term improvement in patient symptoms in multiple studies. Studies have also shown that PRP is superior to corticosteroids in terms of improving patient symptoms.
If you would like to be evaluated to see if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy for your elbow tendonitis, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment.