NSTRIDE Injections
NSTRIDE injections, also known as Autologous Protein Solution (APS) Therapy, are an advanced, non-surgical treatment designed to help manage joint pain, particularly in conditions like osteoarthritis. The therapy uses the patient’s own blood to concentrate anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors that can be injected into the affected joint, helping reduce inflammation and pain while promoting tissue healing and regeneration.
Benefits of NSTRIDE Injections
- Reduction in Joint Pain: NSTRIDE injections target inflammation in the joint, reducing pain and stiffness, which can significantly improve mobility and quality of life for people suffering from joint-related conditions.
- Natural Anti-Inflammatory Effect: NSTRIDE therapy uses the body's own proteins, including cytokines and growth factors, to block the inflammation caused by cartilage damage, which is particularly beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis.
- Improvement in Joint Function: By reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair, NSTRIDE injections can help improve the overall function of the joint, making it easier for patients to move and carry out daily activities.
- Cartilage Protection: The therapy may help slow the progression of osteoarthritis by protecting cartilage from further degeneration, which is important for long-term joint health.
- Long-Lasting Relief: Clinical studies have shown that NSTRIDE injections can provide long-lasting pain relief, with some patients experiencing symptom improvement for up to one to two years after treatment.
- Minimally Invasive: The treatment is non-surgical and requires only a simple injection, making it a less invasive option compared to joint replacement surgery or other surgical procedures.
Conditions NSTRIDE Injections Are Used For
- Osteoarthritis: Primarily used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee, NSTRIDE injections are effective for reducing the pain and inflammation associated with this degenerative joint disease.
- Joint Inflammation: NSTRIDE can also be helpful for other forms of joint inflammation or degenerative conditions affecting the hips, shoulders, or other joints.
- Cartilage Injuries: It may also be used for patients with early cartilage damage or joint injuries where there is inflammation and pain but not enough damage to require surgery.
Application and Treatment Process
- Blood Collection: The process begins with a small blood draw, similar to a routine blood test. Blood is typically drawn from a vein in the patient’s arm.
- Blood Processing: The blood is then processed in a special centrifuge that separates the blood into different components. This process concentrates anti-inflammatory proteins (such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein) and growth factors from the patient’s blood.
- APS Creation: The concentrated solution of anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors (called Autologous Protein Solution or APS) is prepared for injection.
- Injection: Once the APS is ready, the patient receives a single injection directly into the affected joint under sterile conditions. The injection is typically guided by ultrasound or other imaging techniques to ensure precise delivery into the joint space.
- Post-Injection Care: After the injection, patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activities for a few days but can typically return to normal activities shortly afterward. Some patients might experience temporary discomfort at the injection site, but this typically resolves quickly.
- Follow-Up: While most patients will only need one NSTRIDE injection, the treatment’s effects can be assessed over time, and additional injections may be considered if necessary.
Conclusion
NSTRIDE injections offer a natural, minimally invasive option for managing joint pain, especially in osteoarthritis, by using the body’s own proteins to reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and potentially slow the progression of joint damage. The treatment is generally safe, well-tolerated, and provides long-lasting pain relief with little to no downtime.
