Painful joints? Back pain?
Why not use the regenerative power of your body’s own cells
to help you heal and reduce your pain?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment may be right for you.
Stimulating Your Body’s Natural Healing Capacity
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine used to promote healing of damaged soft tissues such as muscles, tendons,and cartilage. Concentrated platelets are obtained from your own blood. These cells are essential for tissue regeneration and repair. Through a sophisticated, bio-advanced process, we are able to concentrate your PRP and use those cells to promote healing in a simple, office based procedure.Laboratory and clinical research has shown it is possible to achieve short-term and long-term pain relief for many orthopaedic and soft tissue conditions using PRP therapy.
Where do platelets come from?
Platelets are found in the blood stream along with red and white blood cells.
How does the PRP process work?
When we sustain a soft tissue injury, the body signals platelets and other components in our blood supply to migrate to the site of an injury as first responders. Platelets release various bioactive proteins such as cytokines and chemokines that attract macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoblasts which are essential for healing. These cells initiate and subsequently stimulate bone, soft tissue, and cartilage regeneration and repair. Additionally, PRP promotes new blood vessel development to accelerate tissue healing and stop bleeding. When a patient’s own PRP is injected into an injured area, the natural healing cascade can be enhanced and accelerated.
What conditions can be treated with PRP?
• Back/Neck pain
• Osteoarthritis pain in joints (i.e. knees, shoulders, hips)
• Sports injuries of tendons and joints
• Tendonitis/Tendonosis (i.e. tennis elbow)
• Sprains and strains
• Bursitis
• Whiplash injuries
• Plantar fasciitis
• Fine lines and wrinkles
Minimal to no risk factors
PRP is derived from your own blood (autologous) so there is little to no risk. Since the PRP cells are autologous there is no risk for an allergic or rejection reaction. Side effects or complications with PRP are extremely rare.
How to prepare for PRP treatment
• Avoid corticosteroids (i.e. Prednisone) for 3 weeks prior to the procedure
• Discontinue non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications one week prior to the procedure
• Increase fluid intake for 5 days prior to the procedure
• If you are on anticoagulation medication (i.e. Coumadin, Eliquis, Plavix) please advise your physician at least one week prior to PRP treatment for special instructions.
• Alcohol and smoking diminish stem cell release. Try to stop or minimize alcohol use and/or smoking for 2 weeks prior to treatment
Procedure time
The total process usually lasts about 30-45 minutes, including the blood draw, PRP preparation, and injection.
The healing process
PRP signals stem cells and regenerative cells to repair and rebuild the damaged tissue. This accelerated healing process reduces pain, promotes increased strength, and improves overall function. This process is called the healing cascade and takes place over 4-6 weeks following PRP treatment. Most patients report a gradual reduction in pain and improvement in function.
Many patients require two to three treatments spaced several months apart to obtain optimal results.
Recovery after treatment
The anesthetic used to numb the skin generally wears off in 1-2 hours. Mild pain and swelling may occur at the injection site. However, the majority of patients are able to return immediately to usual activities with NO down time.
Post-treatment care
You must be particularly careful not to traumatize the treatment area during the healing cascade of 4-6 weeks. Initially, the procedure may cause some localized soreness and discomfort. Ice can be applied to the treated area. You are encouraged to remain active and engage in usual activities and exercise since restricting motion for an extended period of time can lead to stiffness and pain.
Movement and massage promote circulation and healing. It is recommended to refrain from taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for at least 2 weeks following the procedure, as this can hamper your body’s own inflammatory and healing response induced by the PRP treatment.
Who is a good candidate for a PRP procedure?
The ideal candidate for a PRP procedure is a patient that wants to use their body’s own regenerative potential as an option to heal an injury and possibly delay or avoid more invasive surgical procedures.
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Unfortunately, no. Although PRP Therapy has been in use since the 1970s, insurance companies consider PRP therapy an elective procedure and therefore don’t cover PRP treatments.
Why choose PRP over another treatment option?
PRP Therapy vs. Steroid Injections – Steroid injections are not considered a long-term solution and frequent steroid injections to control pain can actually weaken tissue. PRP Therapy offers the opportunity to heal the affected area and can be a longer lasting solution.
PRP Therapy vs. Surgery – If an injury or pain is severe enough to consider surgery, consider PRP Therapy first as a less invasive option that could provide relief.
Compared to surgery, PRP Therapy also offers a lower out-of pocket cost, reduced risk of infection, and shorter recovery period.
PRP vs. Stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapies include a wide range of treatments, some of which are not compliant with the rules of the FDA. Other stem cell treatments that are allowed, like bone marrow concentrate, deliver stem cells directly to the treated tissue but require a more invasive harvest of bone marrow aspirate. PRP uses natural proteins to recruit the body’s cells from nearby tissues.
Who should not have PRP treatment?
Although PRP is a promising therapy for most patients, there are a few special considerations. Contraindications include the following:
• Bleeding problems
• Acute and chronic infections
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
• Anticoagulation therapy (relative contraindication)
• Cancer/chemotherapy
Is PRP FDA approved?
While PRP is not ‘FDA-approved’ it IS “FDA cleared”, and can be offered by physicians “off-label” in the United States for a myriad of musculoskeletal indications. Physicians often prescribe medications and perform procedures that are “off-label”. In fact, over half of all prescriptions written in the United States are for “off-label” use.
