PRP Injections

Your mostly liquid blood plasma contains a variety of small, solid components, including red cells, white cells, and platelets. Although the platelets in your blood are best known for the critical role they play in blood clotting, they also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which are essential for healing injuries.

Platelet-rich plasma is a preparation made from a patient’s blood. After the practitioner draws the patient’s blood, they separate the platelets from the other blood cells and mechanically concentrate them in a process known as centrifugation. This modified plasma can be carefully injected into the injured area, delivering the extra healing components provided by growth factors.

Platelet-rich plasma contains 5 to 10 times as many platelets as what’s found in normal, circulating blood. It also contains other bioactive substances, including platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and potentially beneficial bioactive proteins. Growth factors are proteins that can stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Research has shown that inundating an injury with the increased concentration of growth factors in PRP can speed up the body’s natural healing process.

PRP therapy has been effective in treating a broad range of injuries and conditions, including weakened, torn, or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints, as well as arthritis. The following is not a comprehensive list of conditions which PRP can address the following:

• Lower Back: Sacroiliac dysfunction, facet joint problems

• Hips: Labral tears, bursitis, tendonitis

• Knees: Meniscal tears, ACL, MCL, LCL, kneecap instability

• Ankles and Feet: Sprains, tendonitis, Achilles dysfunction

• Shoulders: Labral tears, rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis

• Elbows: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

• Wrists, Hands, and Fingers: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, ligament tears

​​​​​​​PRP can also be used to promote healing post-surgery. An athlete with a torn calf tendon, for example, may heal faster if PRP is used

The common PRP therapy plan typically includes two to four treatments, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. After your blood is drawn, we will often do passive therapies such as laser, manual therapy, or electrical therapy to assist with the healing process. When the PRP is ready, the practitioner will carefully inject into the affected tissue using the thinnest needle possible. Although many patients do experience post-procedure soreness, the procedure itself is well-tolerated. Because this therapeutic healing process takes time, it may be a week or longer before you notice an improvement.

​​​​​​​We at ProHealth Physical Medicine will provide you with detailed post-procedure instructions and assess your progress during a follow-up visit.