Platelet-rich plasma or PRP therapy is a revolutionary new treatment that relieves pain by promoting long-lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions.
PRP is derived from a patient’s own blood that consists of a combination of growth factors and platelets.
How does it work?
When the body suffers a soft-tissue injury, its natural response is to deliver platelet cells to the area. Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets and other cells initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. PRP therapy’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly into an area of injury.
To create platelet-rich plasma therapy, a small sample of your blood is drawn, similar to a lab-test sample. The blood is placed in a centrifuge which separates the platelets from the other components. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into and around the point of injury, jump-starting and significantly strengthening the body’s natural healing signal. Because the patient’s own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection and a very low risk of allergic reaction.
What conditions can be treated with PRP?
PRP has shown remarkable results with a wide variety of injuries and chronic conditions, including:
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Joint pain and injuries
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, thumbs and spine
- Rotator-cuff tears
- Back and neck injuries
- Tendonitis
- Chronic plantar fasciitis, foot and ankle pain, and Achilles tendinitis
How long does PRP take to work?
Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks, depending on the injury or condition, gradually increasing as the healing progresses. Research studies and use in clinical practice have shown PRP therapy to be very effective at relieving pain and quickly returning patients to their normal routine. Both ultrasound and MRI images have shown definitive tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the healing process. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses and the condition becomes irreversible. The procedure takes approximately one hour, including preparation and recovery time. PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks involved with surgery, general anesthesia, or hospital stays, and does not require a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities immediately afterwards.
Research articles
Researchers Say Knee Osteoarthritis Patients Need Vitamin D
Researchers Say Knee Osteoarthritis Patients Need Vitamin D
Cortisone Injections Cause Post-Surgical Rotator Cuff Complication