Platelet Rich Plasma

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that’s mostly made of water and protein. It lets red and white blood cells and platelets move through your bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood cell that makes your blood clot. They also play a role in healing.

Doctors may use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on injuries or damage to tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, and skin. To collect plasma, a doctor draws blood from your body and uses a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. Then the doctor numbs the area of your body being treated with PRP injections. Once you’re numb, the doctor uses a needle to inject your plasma into the area of your body being treated.

Platelet-rich plasma injections are increasingly being used as a non-surgical alternative for orthopedic conditions, injuries, and chronic pain management, including:

Osteoarthritis

Chronic lower back pain

Injuries to ligaments and muscles

Acute, chronic tendon issues

Spinal stenosis

Tennis elbow

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears

Chronic, acute neck pain

Rotator cuff tears

Plantar fasciitis

These conditions typically are treated with medications, physical therapy, or surgery. Many top athletes have credited platelet-rich plasma injections for their faster healing times following injuries that could have previously cost them the season or their careers.

Platelet-rich plasma has been used in the medical field for more than 20 years. Surgeons have used it to accelerate healing, enhance bone grafting, and reduce the risk of infection following surgery. Now the benefits are being extended to treat joint pain, disc issues, soft tissue injuries, degeneration, and arthritis.

Since platelet-rich plasma is derived from your own blood, any associated risks are non-existent. Tenderness at the injection sites seems to be the worst side effect, and it only lasts a couple of days.

Regenerative medicine is innovative, not instantaneous. It promotes natural, long-term healing of injured tissue and joints. Your specialist customizes a treatment plan for you and helps you decide whether you’ll benefit more if platelet-rich plasma injections are used alone or combined with stem cell injections.

You may only require a single treatment, but in some cases, a series of injections may be necessary. You’ll need a follow-up appointment after a couple of weeks so your doctor can assess your progress and determine if you need further treatment.