What is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)?
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a biologic injection used in the sports medicine and orthopedic world to aid in injury healing. Biologics such as stem cells or PRP (which fall under the umbrella of regenerative medicine) use growth factors (chemicals released to stimulate healing and growth) and cells (found in adipose tissue or bone marrow), to rebuild injured/damaged tissue using natures’ pathways.
How is a PRP injection performed?
For a PRP injection, a person’s own blood is drawn and their platelets, which house growth factors, are concentrated into an injection. The concentrated injection is then placed under ultrasound guidance into and around the damaged tissue to speed up the healing of acute/new injuries and re-start the healing process in chronic/old injuries. A single PRP injection, which is a simple in-office procedure, has the ability to stimulate healing and growth for at least 6 months. Certain anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are withheld for 5 days prior to and 10 days post-injection to allow the platelets to secrete their growth factors without inhibition of response. Following an injection, a structured rehab program is instituted to allow healing of tissue targeted to the patient’s activity.
How do I know if I am a candidate for a PRP injection?
PRP can be used for a variety of sports medicine and orthopedic injuries. PRP is currently being used in the treatment of chronic and acute patella tendinitis, Achilles tendinitis, hamstring injuries, quadriceps injuries, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, partial rotator cuff tear, joint arthritis and partial UCL (Tommy John ligament) tears. If you have a sports medicine or orthopedic injury and you are interested in seeing if PRP is an option for you, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.
For additional information, visit our PRP page.