Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Treatment

Using the body's own elements of natural regeneration certainly has an advantage in healing an injury, which is exactly the mechanism used when performing platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. The natural response of the body to an injury is to incite an inflammatory response to attract certain healing elements to the site of injury through the blood vessel system. The platelets in our blood are one of the integral elements used in this healing process.

The blood has been broken down into its three main components: platelet poor plasma (PPP), platelet rich plasma, and red blood cells. It is the platelet rich plasma that is the basis of all PRP therapies. The centrifugation separates the platelets from the other blood cells and increases their concentration. Then the increased concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood that was drawn.

Platelet-rich plasma (prp) therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (prp) therapy Platelet-rich plasma (prp) therapy

PRP therapy may be used to manage numerous injuries including muscle injuries (hamstring sprains, biceps and triceps injuries, calf and quadriceps injuries), ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, LCL sprains and tears of the knees), tendon injuries (Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), patellar and quadriceps tendonitis), degenerative conditions such as arthritis (osteoarthritis), joint pain, degenerative disc disease, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, neck and back pain, nerve injury, plastic surgery, burns, split-thickness skin graft donor sites, and stress fractures. It may also be used after surgical procedures to assist in the healing process in areas of poor blood supply.

One of the main benefits of PRP is that the patient's own blood is used, making this procedure safe, cost effective, and without side effects. The natural healing process may take 3-6 weeks after the injection and the procedure may need to be repeated 1-2 more times in a 6 month period to encourage full healing and regeneration.


Platelet-rich plasma (prp) therapy

By using the person's own blood, there are very few risks or side effects. The blood is withdrawn from an arm and is spun down in a two-step centrifugation process to separate out the platelets while mixing them with citrate and dextrose using a sterile technique. This provides a super saturated, very high concentration of pure platelets. These platelets, which contain all of the healing factors, are then injected directly into the site of injury.

The platelets in PRP play a primary part in the clotting of blood. Platelets contain growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and cytokines which improve cell reproduction and extracellular matrix production which leads to soft tissue and bone regeneration as well as new blood vessel formation. Besides PDGF, platelets also contain fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, insulin-like growth factor 1 & 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and epidermal growth factor. All of these elements work very well in areas with a poor blood supply that may not heal well from the body's natural healing process. Growth factors play an essential role in wound healing and the process of regeneration. But PRP also releases an abundance of other substances critical in the healing of wounds. PRP augments the creation of blood vessels, improves healing of soft tissues, and enhances the regeneration of bone. Platelet rich plasma holds a concentration of platelets that is five to ten times the amount of platelets found in blood. These proteins, cytokines and other growth factors in the PRP provide a number of ways to assist in the repairing of cell damage. They decrease inflammation, improve cell growth, and provide signaling to the immune system. In addition, particular types of cytokines focus on the creation of metabolic pathways that support cell recovery. When bones or soft tissue such as tendons or ligaments are damaged, the growth factors in platelets stimulate healing of bone and soft tissues.

Platelet-rich plasma (prp) therapy

Most patients will have some soreness for up to 48 hours that should decreases. Patients should not take aspirin or other NSAID medications after the procedure because they block the inflammatory response necessary for the procedures to help with healing. Patients can use Tylenol and other pain medications that don't block the inflammatory process. Patients should refrain from significant physical activity or sports activities for about a week after the procedure. Patients are re-evaluated about 6 weeks after the procedure to evaluate their progress and to make further treatment recommendations.

Most insurance plans and Medicare/Medicaid do not currently cover PRP therapy. Patients interested in having PRP therapy are responsible for the full payment for the procedure. Please call our office for any questions on cost or payment plans.


Clinical indications for PRP

PRP therapy can be used to treat many conditions including knee injuries, arthritis, joint pain and inflammation, back injuries, and bodily pain. This is a complete list of conditions PRP can treat:

  • Achilles Injury
  • Ankle Pain
  • Arthritis
  • Cartilage Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Disc Bulges
  • Disc Herniation
  • Disc Tear
  • Elbow Pain
  • Facet Syndrome
  • Fractures
  • Hip Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Ligament Injury
  • Lower back Injury
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Neuropathy
  • Rotator Cuff Injury
  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Sprain and Strain
  • Tendinopathy
  • Tendonitis
  • Wrist Pain

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