PRP therapy
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative treatment that utilizes a concentrated form of the patient’s own blood plasma to facilitate healing. Platelets are essential components of the blood’s natural recovery system, containing high concentrations of growth factors that can significantly accelerate the repair of tendons, ligaments, and other musculoskeletal tissues.
How is PRP Processed?
The preparation of PRP is a precise, autologous process, meaning it is derived entirely from the patient's own body to ensure compatibility and safety. The clinical procedure involves several key steps:
● Phlebotomy: A small volume of the patient’s blood is drawn in a manner similar to a standard laboratory test.● Centrifugation: The blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge and rotated at high speeds to separate its primary components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma.● Concentration: This process isolates the platelets, creating a plasma solution with a significantly higher concentration of healing properties than what is found in normal circulating blood.Applications in Musculoskeletal Care
Once prepared, the PRP is injected directly into or surrounding the site of the injury. This targeted delivery triggers the body’s natural inflammatory cascade, signaling the biological systems to begin repairing muscle, bone, and connective tissue. The entire clinical encounter—including preparation and administration—is typically completed within 30 minutes.
Clinical Indications and Expected Outcomes
PRP therapy is particularly effective for augmenting the healing process in acute and chronic soft tissue injuries, including:
● Tendinopathy and Tendonitis● Ligament and Ankle Sprains● Rotator Cuff Tears● Osteoarthritis (specifically of the knee, hip, and shoulder)
While some patients experience relief after a single treatment, optimal clinical results generally require a series of two to three injections, spaced approximately three to four weeks apart.Safety and Recovery
PRP therapy is considered a highly safe procedure with a minimal risk profile. Because the treatment uses the patient’s own biological material, the risk of an adverse immune reaction or rejection is non-existent. Furthermore, the presence of white blood cells in the concentrate provides a natural defense against infection at the injection site.
Post-treatment recovery is characterized by:● Minimal Downtime: Most patients can resume daily activities immediately following the procedure.● Localized Sensitivity: Mild discomfort or soreness at the injection site may occur but typically resolves within several days.Ideal Candidates for PRP
If you are experiencing tendonitis, ankle sprains, ligament sprains, rotator cuff tears, or osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder and want to treat these issues with little to no downtime orPRP is an excellent option for individuals seeking a non-surgical intervention for joint and soft tissue conditions with minimal risk and no significant recovery period. If you are managing persistent pain from osteoarthritis or a sports-related ligament injury, PRP therapy offers a biological pathway to restored function and pain reduction.risk of injury, consider PRP for the musculoskeletal system.