PRP for joint problems in Munich

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the joint surfaces wears away. The joint hurts, becomes stiffer and can swell; the knee, hip and fingers are particularly often affected. Tendons connect muscles to bones. If they are overloaded over a long time, painful irritation develops where the tendons attach, for example in tennis elbow or at the Achilles tendon. Ligaments connect bones to one another and stabilise the joints. Tendons and ligaments have only a poor blood supply and therefore often take a long time to recover. Which structure is affected is established by the orthopaedic examination, often supplemented by ultrasound, X-ray or MRI.

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. When an injury occurs, platelets release growth factors and messenger substances involved in healing. PRP treatment is based on the idea of concentrating these substances where tissue repairs itself only slowly. In a joint, PRP is also intended to dampen inflammatory processes. The aim is to support the body's own regeneration processes in complaints of the musculoskeletal system. The treatment is given as an injection, without surgery. However, PRP is not a substitute for lost cartilage and does not rebuild a worn joint. That is why we speak openly about what you can expect and what you cannot.

PRP has been used in orthopaedics and sports medicine for years. For some uses, such as knee osteoarthritis or tennis elbow, there are studies. Their results, however, are inconsistent. One reason is that the production of the plasma, the number of injections and the intervals between them vary greatly. Professional societies therefore do not assess PRP uniformly. For you, this means PRP can be an option when established measures are to be complemented. We do not promise a particular result. Which treatment takes priority is decided by the orthopaedic findings. We are happy to discuss with you what the studies mean for your situation.

We view pain in the musculoskeletal system in the context of the whole body. Acupuncture has been a focus of our practice for decades and is also used as a complement for knee, hip, shoulder or elbow pain. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing has been a member of the German Medical Association for Acupuncture (DÄGfA) for decades and has taught courses there as a lecturer. We also offer neural therapy and magnetic field therapy as complementary methods. We describe the combination of your own blood and acupuncture points on our PLACU therapy page. We also talk about exercise, weight and diet, because they can take strain off the joints. We decide together which elements suit you – always coordinated with your orthopaedic treatment.

Many women notice new joint and muscle pain during the menopause. Oestrogens act, among other things, on cartilage, tendons and inflammatory processes. When their levels fall, joint complaints may increase. An underactive thyroid, for example in Hashimoto's disease, can also be accompanied by joint and muscle pain. As a gynaecology practice with a focus on hormones and environmental medicine, we therefore also pay attention to these connections. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing has worked extensively in scientific research on Hashimoto's disease and oestrogen dominance. This does not replace an orthopaedic assessment, but it adds an important perspective. You can read more on our pages on the menopause and on Hashimoto's.