Platelet rich plasma, otherwise known as “PRP’, is a permanent solution for conditions such as arthritis, spinal conditions, and orthopaedic ligament/tendon sprains and tears which is non-operative. PRP therapy is a concentration of the patient’s own plasma which is then injected into damaged ligaments, joints, and tendons to promote the repair of tissue. PRP therapy has been shown to accelerate the body’s own natural healing process. Studies have shown that plasma is rich in healing factors and growth. On average, an injured individual can experience a pain-free results in four to six weeks.
What is PRP?
PRP History
Although an emerging technology and technique in sports medicine, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy) has been used since the mid-1990’s in dental and oral surgery and to aid in soft tissue recovery following plastic surgery. PRP treatment recently gained widespread recognition in the sports world when Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers received PRP therapy prior to winning Super Bowl XLIII. Other high profile athletes include Tiger Woods who received four treatments following knee surgery and pitchers Takashi Saito and Bartolo Colon — both recent examples of PRP success in Major League Baseball.
So how does PRP work?
When you have an injury, the natural body response is to deliver platelets to the injured site. These cells have healing properties and assist in wound repair with natural healing. To recreate this process with PRP therapy, a physician will take a small amount of blood from the patient’s arm, and place in a centrifuge to separate the components and isolate the platelets. The injury site is numbed and the platelets, or PRP, are injected into the injury site. This is to encourage the body’s natural healing signals at a more rapid pace. There is no risk of infection because your own blood is used. In some cases, ultrasound may be used for accuracy to the injection site. PRP therapy takes approximately twenty minutes to complete.
Which body areas are best treated with PRP therapy?
- Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction and Pain
- Arthritis in the Knee, Hip, Ankle, Shoulder, Elbow Hand
- Muscle and Tendon Injuries and Tears
- Tendinitis
- Knee and Ankle Sprains
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff Injuries and Tears
- Lumbar spine disc pain
- Cervical spin disc pain
- Lumbar and cervical facet joint arthritis and pain
- Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction and Pain
What are the benefits of PRP Treatment Therapy?
- Outpatient procedure in the comfort of our facility
- Improved pain-relief and decreased inflammation
- Natural healing procedure
- No anesthesia required
- Shorter recovery time compared to surgery
- Increased functionality and range of motion
- Effective solution to avoid or delay surgery
Get Pain Relief Today
To learn more about PRP injections and how successful they may be in treating your particular injury please schedule a consultation today. Our Pain Specialists take a proactive approach to diagnosing and treating a wide variety of pain-causing conditions, using the latest technologies and most advanced equipment.