PRP Specialist

PRP Q & A

What is platelet-rich plasma therapy?

PRP therapy enhances your body’s natural healing response to an injury by delivering — via injection — a high concentration of platelets and other components found in your blood supply to the injured area. This highly concentrated dose of platelets releases a variety of growth factors that boost your body’s ability to repair damaged tissue.

Is PRP therapy safe?

PRP therapy has been in use for decades by oral surgeons and other health care professionals to promote soft tissue repair and regeneration. When provided by a qualified specialist, PRP therapy is also considered a safe and often effective treatment for a variety of orthopedic conditions. In many cases, it can postpone or even eliminate your need for surgery.

Additionally, the platelets used in PRP therapy are retrieved from a small sample of your own blood. This effectively eliminates the risk of rejection or disease transmission, which is sometimes a factor when using donor materials.

What orthopedic conditions can be treated with PRP therapy?

The doctors at Orthopedic Specialists may recommend PRP therapy to stimulate and accelerate soft tissue healing for numerous orthopedic conditions, including:

• Shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendonitis
• Arm pain caused by biceps tendonitis, elbow tendonitis (tennis elbow), or wrist tendonitis
• Hip pain related to trochanteric bursitis, hamstring tendonitis, or quadriceps tendonitis
• Knee pain resulting from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries or patella tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Ankle pain due to problems with the Achilles tendon

Your orthopedic specialist typically combines PRP therapy with other treatments such as physical therapy and surgical procedures as part of your customized care plan.

How does a PRP injection work?

PRP injections are an in-office procedure that starts with obtaining a small sample of your blood, much like what you would expect with a lab test. The blood is then spun at high speeds in a machine called a centrifuge. This separates the platelets and plasma from other blood components.

The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into and around your injury site, which triggers your system to begin repairing and rebuilding tissue. Your physician uses ultrasound imaging to accurately place the injection.

The procedure takes about 45 minutes, and the team at Orthopedic Specialists usually recommends that you rest after leaving the office. However, many patients can return to light activities the next day.

For more information about PRP therapy and whether it’s right for you, schedule a visit at Orthopedic Specialists online or by phone today.