We offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as a nonsurgical treatment option for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including sports injuries, arthritis, and tendon injuries.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a special treatment used for both acute (recent) or chronic (long-standing) injuries. Commonly, PRP treatment is used on sports injuries, osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. These injuries include sprains, strains, and tears in parts of your body such as the hand, shoulder, and elbow. They happen when the collagen fibers, which make up your body’s tendons, get damaged. Without help, this damaged tissue might not heal well because it doesn’t get enough blood.
PRP therapy uses a part of your own blood (platelets) to support healing. These platelets specialize in starting a healing process and blood clotting. To acquire the platelets, your blood is placed in a tube and a machine is used to separate the platelets from the other parts of the blood. Then the platelets are put back into the injured area. This personalized treatment gives specific healing support for each patient based on their unique situation.
The first step in our PRP protocol is your initial consultation to see if you are a candidate for this treatment. We will consider your pain condition, diagnostic tests, and prior treatment history. If you are a candidate for PRP, then you will be scheduled to come in for an injection.
What to expect from our treatment protocol:
* There is no guarantee as to the results that may be obtained from the procedure.
PRP therapy can not only be helpful for lessening pain but also for supporting the healing process. Recent research studies have indicated it is a promising treatment for people suffering from ongoing pain and difficulty using their injured extremities. PRP can be an efficient treatment for persistent, painful injuries. Patients may experience significant symptom reduction within a few weeks. PRP promotes the growth of new tendon cells and draws healing cells to damaged tendon tissues. The therapy may help to avoid the need for surgical intervention or prolonged use of pain medications. It may enable athletes to return to competition sooner, employees to resume work quickly, and individuals to get back to their regular activities faster.
PRP is a versatile therapy primarily employed to treat a range of musculoskeletal injuries. It’s particularly favored among professional athletes across various sports including football, baseball, and basketball. They find it useful due to the natural and potentially accelerated recovery it can provide.
Some key uses and benefits of PRP include:
You must stop any NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories) for 9 days before and 14 days after injection. NSAIDs work by inhibiting platelets and we need those platelets to work for you after the injection. Staying well hydrated prior to treatment is key. What you eat and drink can make your PRP fatty and potentially less effective. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods at least 24 hours prior to treatment.
The healing cascade takes 4-6 weeks to signal for your body’s cells and regenerative processes to repair and rebuild damaged tissue. Patients often see significant improvement in symptoms and many report a gradual improvement and return of function. Up to three treatments may be needed to obtain optimal results.