About The Treatment

Platelet rich plasma, commonly referred to as “PRP’, is a non-operative, permanent solution for conditions such as arthritis and ligament/tendon sprains and tears. Utilizing the body’s natural healing process, PRP therapy is a concentration of platelets that are injected into the damaged ligaments, tendons, and joints to promote tissue repair and accelerate healing. Platelets are rich in growth and healing factors which means, on average, an injured individual can get back to a pain-free life in four to six weeks.

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This procedure is done by drawing a small sample of the patient’s blood, and placing it into a centrifuge so the platelets can separate, creating a concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP), which is then injected into the area of the body that is injured. The dispersing of the platelets strengthens surrounding tissues, muscles, and ligaments, and the healing process begins.

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The patient’s own blood is used for the PRP injection, which eliminates the risk of transmissible infection and minimizes the risk of an allergic reaction. The goal of PRP therapy is to relieve pain through natural healing. You will meet with your physician multiple times after the injection to measure pain levels and see what improvements or setbacks have ensued.

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Platelet rich plasma injections are most effective for the following conditions:

• Lumbar spine disc pain

• Rotator cuff injuries, including partial-thickness

• Shoulder pain and instability

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow

• Hamstring and hip strains

• Knee sprains and instability

• Patellofemoral syndrome and patellar tendonitis

• Ankle sprains

• Achilles tendonitis & plantar fasciitis

• Knee, hip, and other joint osteoarthritis

• Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction and pain

• Lumbar and cervical facet dysfunction and pain

 

Additionally, PRP can be effective for many cases of osteoarthritis by stimulating healing of cartilage and reducing pain and disability. This includes:

• Knee arthritis

• Hip joint arthritis

• Shoulder arthritis

• Ankle arthritis

 

After The Treatment

The benefit to PRP therapy is that unlike other treatments it has a sustained outcome and is categorized as a permanent fix. The timeframe for experiencing results depends on the area and extent of the injury.  Most patients start to see improvement in the form of reduced pain or increased function within four to six weeks. Continuing with a course of physical therapy and avoidance of aggressive physical activity or overloading the injected tissues is advised in the weeks that follow the injections. This will allow the tissues to heal fully.