PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma)

What are PRP (Plasma-Rich-Platelet) Injections?

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots and other necessary growth healing functions.

Platelet activation plays a key role in the body’s natural healing process.

What is the procedure for PRP (Plasma-Rich-Platelet) Injections?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. In this way, PRP injections use each individual patient’s own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.

PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.

Ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide the injection.

How long do results from PRP (Plasma-Rich-Platelet) Injections last?

To achieve the best outcome, treatment might be delivered via monthly injections for three consecutive months. After such care, results typically last a minimum of nine to 18 months.

What are the Pros and Cons of PRP (Plasma-Rich-Platelet) Injections?

Pros

• A safe, minimally invasive technique that uses the body’s own resources to heal
• Rebuild tissue, strengthen weak muscles, improve joint and muscle function and decrease chronic pain. 
• PRP can accelerate the healing process and encourages cell growth. 
• Filled with proteins, nutrients and growth factors, it helps damaged tissue to quickly repair. 
• Affordable treatment used to treat arthritis, tendonitis, torn muscles and ligaments and usually repairs faster than other treatments.

Cons

• Some patients may experience more pain or soreness in the area that has been treated. 
• There may be no improvement to the injured area or the skin around the injected area may appear bruised or discolored. 
• There might be a minor chance of an artery or vein being damaged due to needle usage, which can then cause a blood clot to form