Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins. Plasma provides a transport medium for the cells of the blood – the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny blood cells that help your body form clots to stop bleeding. Platelets also help the body heal as they have growth factors. Platelet activation plays a key role in the body’s natural healing process.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses concentrated injections of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. It is a revolutionary new treatment that relieves pain by promoting long-lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions using the healing power of your own body. This rapidly evolving technique is showing exciting success in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine, rotator cuff tears, chronic plantar fasciitis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, tendonitis, and ligament sprains.

Immediately prior to the injection, a small volume of blood is drawn from the vein. This blood sample is then spun within a centrifuge to separate the blood into red blood cells and concentrated platelets in the plasma layer. The red blood cells are discarded and the remaining concentrated PRP is used for injection. This process uses a strict sterile technique. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.

PRP injections are used for a range of conditions from injuries of tendons, muscles, and arthritic joints to cosmetic procedures like treating androgenic alopecia (male baldness).

Tendon, Ligament, Muscle and Joint Injuries: PRP injections may be able to treat a range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. For example, chronic tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, rotator cuff tears, and chronic plantar fasciitis often take a long time to heal. PRP injection therapy can help to stimulate the healing process.

Osteoarthritis: PRP injection Treatment may help treat osteoarthritis pain by reducing inflammation in the arthritic joint.

Hair Loss: PRP injections can be effective in treating male pattern baldness (Androgenic Alopecia), both in preventing hair loss and promoting new hair growth. PRP can also aid in the stimulation of hair growth after hair transplants.

PRP injection treatment is a low-risk procedure and does not usually cause major side effects. The procedure involves a blood draw, so you should make sure you are hydrated and have eaten beforehand to prevent feeling lightheaded. After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and discomfort at the site of the procedure.

Because PRP injections are made up of your own cells and plasma, the risk of an allergic reaction is much lower compared to interventional pain management procedures that involve injecting steroids, contrast material, etc. The risks of PRP injections include: bleeding, infection, and tissue injury.

The procedure takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes, including preparation and recovery time. Performed safely in a medical office, PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks of surgery, general anesthesia and without a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.

In the beginning, enough treatments need to be done to maximize recovery. The precise number of treatment sessions varies with the area that was injured, the type of injury, and your ability to heal. Generally, you can expect between one and 4 sessions. You may, however, gain considerable relief after the first or second injection.

Unlike the interventional pain management injections performed with immediate pain control, PRP therapy does not immediately control the pain. Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks, gradually increasing as it heals. Published studies and clinical practices have shown PRP therapy to be very effective in pain relief and return to near-normal conditions. Imaging studies (ultrasound and MRI) have shown tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the process of healing. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues in the early stage of injury, before the damage progresses to an irreversible stage.