What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body.
Platelets are well-known for their clotting abilities, but they also contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction stimulate tissue regeneration and healing in the treated area.
How do you get it?
To harvest platelet-rich plasma, our staff take a blood sample from the patient and place it into a specialized centrifuge that rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma.
What happens next?
After creating PRP from the patient’s blood sample, it is then injected into a targeted area, such as an injured knee or a tendon. In some cases, the doctor may use ultrasound to guide the injection. The idea behind this is to increase the concentration of specific bio proteins or hormones, called growth factors, in a specific area to accelerate the healing process.
Studies show that the increased concentration of growth factors in platelet-rich plasma may stimulate or speed up the healing process, shortening healing time for injuries, decreasing pain.
What issues can this help?
Tendon Tears – Elbows, Knees and Shoulders
Tendonitis – Plantar fasciitis, Tennis elbow, Thumbs, Heels, Patella, Biceps and Shoulders
Arthritis – Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Feet, Hands and Back
Soft Tissue Repair
Hair Restoration, Peyronie’s Disease, Erectile Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, Facial and Cosmetic Procedures
Are there any risks?
PRP is a very 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 bruising at the injection site.
Because PRP injections are made up of your own cells and plasma, the risk of an allergic reaction is much lower than with other injectable medications.
Ask one of our medical professionals if PRP is right for you.