Platelet rich plasma is a form regenerative medical therapy. It uses the patients’ own platelets as a stimulant for regeneration, to accelerate repair and to reduce inflammation. It is gaining popularity with elite sports athletics such as Tiger Woods. In fact, many professional sports training rooms have their own centrifuge machine that can prepare PRP. It uses the patients’ own platelets as a stimulant for regeneration, to accelerate repair and possibly to reduce inflammation. After concentrating the plasma, it now contains 5-10 x the normal amount of platelets and growth factors.
For world class athletes like Tiger Woods, every slight edge in performance counts. Having observed these trends, however, the scientific evidence of PRP treatment is still in its infancy. More data is required to make a firm recommendation for PRP treatment. Still, the potential for PRP treatment is an attractive option clinically, as there are minimal side effects and sports athletes derive symptomatic benefit allowing them to continue their sport.
Who will benefit
Individuals who suffers from:
- Tendon injuries and inflammation
- Acute sports injuries
- Postsurgical repairs, such as surgeries for torn anterior cruciate ligament
- Osteoarthritis
Common conditions
- Tendon injuries, i.e. Achilles tendon ruptures, tendonitis
- Acute sports injuries, i.e. shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Other soft-tissue injuries
- Chronic tendinosis conditions, i.e. tennis elbow (link to tennis elbow) or golfer’s elbow.
How do I Prepare
There is minimal preparation required for PRP injection therapy.
During PRP Injections
Discuss with your doctor on the application manner of these injections. This will affect the type of anesthesia used during the procedure.
1. Type of anesthesia
a. Topical numbing local anesthetic agent if the application manner that is through a small surface area of skin.
b. Local anesthetic can be mixed with the PRP.
2. Steps involved
Our staff will draw a sample of your blood. The amount of the blood sample depends on where the PRP will be injected. The blood is placed into a centrifuge. The centrifuge is a machine that spins around very quickly, causing the blood components to separate. The separation process takes about 15 minutes. A technologist takes the separated plasma and prepares it for injection into the affected area. Doctors may use imaging, such as ultrasound, to pinpoint specific areas for injection, such as the tendon. Your doctor will then inject the PRP into the affected area.
3. Time Duration
The length of PRP injections procedure usually takes around one hour.
After PRP Injections
1. Most people can continue their daily activities following PRP injections.
2. You may observe the intended positive effects of the injections over several weeks or months.
