PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma, also known as PRP, is an exciting treatment option for persons suffering from various orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Platelet rich plasma is a component of your blood which possesses wonderful regenerative properties. PRP is obtained from your own (autologous) bloodstream by isolating the plasma along with a concentration of platelets. Platelets are tiny disc shaped cells that contain natural sources of growth factors, proteins and cytokines. These substances stimulate growth and the healing of injured tissues and help to recruit local stem cells to the injury site; further enhancing and stimulating the healing process. By concentrating these growth factors and injecting them into the site of injury or pain, PRP can be used to aid in the recovery healing and rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal injuries.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be used to treat the following conditions:
- Muscle tears and severe strains
- Tendonitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow)
- Achilles tendon partial tears and strains
- Patellar tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Knee ligament and meniscal tears
- Labral tears (shoulder, hip)
- Sacro-Iliac joint pain
- Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint arthritis
- Intervertebral disc disease
How Is It Done?
PRP is an in-office procedure which usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to perform. Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood is then processed through a centrifugation process to produce the PRP concentrate. The PRP is then injected into the target location using either x-ray or ultrasound guidance.