PRP

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that promotes and harnesses the healing potential of your own blood and tissue. There are numerous clinical studies showing PRP promotes healing in a variety of orthopedic injuries and may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments such as long-term medications or surgery. 

Platelets are a specialized type of blood cell that are involved in injury healing. These cells are vital for tissue regeneration and repair. They are a reservoir of vital healing components. With PRP, a concentrated platelet solution from your own blood is injected into your injury to stimulate healing. 

PRP can be used for muscle, ligament, tendon tears, overuse injuries, tendinitis and tendinopathy, and osteoarthritis.  Conditions may include:

• Achilles tendon injury and plantar fasciitis
• Golfers elbow
• Hamstring and hip tendon injuries
• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff tears
• Tennis elbow
• Quadriceps and patellar tendon injuries

The body’s natural reaction to an injury is to activate platelets in the damaged tissues to initiate healing. Platelets store growth factors that help with healing, and signal stem cells and other regenerative cells to repair and rebuild the damaged tissue. This accelerates the healing process, reduces pain, promotes increased strength, and improves overall function. When platelets are injected directly into injured tissue, they stimulate and enhance the body’s own healing response. 

PRP is performed in the office. Blood is drawn from your arm and concentrated in a centrifuge. Platelets and growth factors are separated from the rest of your blood and then injected into the injured area using ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP is placed into the injury with accuracy. The entire treatment takes approximately one hour. Ultrasound Is used to identify the injured tissue or joint and then used to guide the needle to the injury for the injection. 

Compared to taking oral medications that have a system-wide effect, PRP has an advantage of directing the healing influence specifically into the affected region using ultrasound guidance during the procedure to visualize the affected tissue in real-time, thereby improving accuracy. Overall benefits may include:

• Less side effects when compared to steroid injections or surgery
• Safer for the body long term compared to steroid injections
• Steroid injections provide temporary relief of pain and inflammation, while PRP injections stimulate healing of the injury over a shorter time period with less side effects
• Longer lasting than steroid or viscosupplementation injections
• Natural and organic, PRP is sourced from your own blood
• Speeds up and promotes healing
• Minimal to no down time after the procedure
• Minimally invasive

PRP is performed with sterile technique and is created in a closed-system device. Anytime a needle is placed anywhere in the body, even getting blood drawn, there is a risk of infection, bleeding, tendon and nerve damage. However, complications are very rare. 

PRP injections are performed under local anesthesia with numbing medication. Patients will typically feel pressure when injecting the tendon. Mild to moderate swelling and soreness can occur at the site, which usually resolves in two to three days and potentially up to two weeks. 

PRP is performed in the office, so you will be sent home afterward. It is generally recommended to rest the injected area for a few days, use Tylenol, and elevate the procedure area. Pain medication is prescribed only as needed. After a few days, you can use the area as tolerated, as movement and massage can promote circulation and healing. Physical therapy will begin after a two-week follow up appointment. 

The healing cascade is activated after the injection and takes places over a two-month period. Most patients note gradual improvements and return of function between three to six months. 

Most patients will need only one procedure. Studies have shown 85 to 95 percent of patients have complete relief of their pain with one injection and the results are generally permanent unless re-injury occurs. In severe tendon or ligament injuries, or severe arthritis, more than one injection is sometimes needed and is often helpful. 

PRP has been used for decades, often to treat professional athletes who are looking to avoid surgery and minimize recovery time. Despite growing evidence and studies, PRP is considered “experimental” or “cosmetic” by most insurance plans and therefore they do not cover the procedure. Health Saving or Flexible Spending Accounts can be used toward the payment. Our billing department can answer questions regarding the cost. 

• Dr. Thomas Gill - PRP Procedure Protocol
• Dr. Jennifer Luz - PRP Procedure Protocol