OVERVIEW

What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative medicine technique that uses a concentration of a patients own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets” and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors” can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual. These growth factors, released by platelets, initiate and accelerate tissue repair, and have been shown to have potentially regenerative effects on the healing process.

What does it Treat?

• Osteoarthritis: Particularly in the knee, hip, and shoulder.
• Tendon Injuries: Such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and jumpers knee (patellar tendonitis).
• Acute Injuries: Like sprained knees and muscle injuries.
• Post-surgical Repair: To speed up the healing process after surgery, such as following a rotator cuff repair.
• Chronic Tendon Problems: Chronic tendon issues that have not responded to more conservative treatments.

How is PRP Prepared?

The process involves collecting a small amount of the patients blood, similar to a routine blood test. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge where it is spun at high speeds. This separation process divides the blood into layers of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The layer of blood with a high concentration of platelets (and growth factors) is extracted, sometimes further concentrated, and then prepared for injection.

How Does PRP Work?

The premise behind PRP therapy is to deliver high concentrations of growth factors to an area of injury, which ideally will jump-start and significantly enhance the body’s natural healing signals. Injecting these growth factors into damaged ligaments, tendons, and joints stimulates the natural repair process.

What are the Benefits of PRP Therapy

• Safety: Since PRP is prepared from one’s own blood, there is a reduced risk of immune rejection or allergic reaction.
• Effectiveness: Studies have shown that PRP can be effective in reducing pain and improving function, particularly in the treatment of chronic tendon injuries and osteoarthritis.
• Minimally Invasive: The procedure is less invasive than surgery. It is performed as an outpatient treatment and requires little recovery time.