A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a low-risk procedure utilized at White Sands Integrative Medical in Fort Walton Beach, FL, that uses a patient's own blood to treat a variety of conditions:
- Musculoskeletal injuries: Such as injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, shoulder, wrist or hand
- Cartilage injuries
- Post-surgical healing
- Hair loss
- Cosmetic procedures
- Neck and back pain
- Chronic ligament or tendon injuries
- Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
- Rotator cuff injuries
What to Expect
During the procedure, a doctor or other medical professional collects one to a few tubes of blood from the patient and spins it in a centrifuge to separate the blood into its components. The platelets are then concentrated to 2–8 times their normal number and mixed with a blood plasma liquid base. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected directly into the affected area, with the help of ultrasound guidance.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the injection, but the injection site may be sore and inflamed for about 48 hours. Pain medication and ice can help during this time. The first few days after the injection are known as the inflammatory phase, and some people may experience increased pain during this time. It can take 6–8 weeks to assess the body's response to the treatment, and full recovery may take 3–6 months. Tendon injuries usually require a longer recovery time.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a biologic therapy that can stimulate healing and enhance repair in certain injuries. PRP often is referred to as an orthobiologic, since it is obtained from a patient’s own blood and centrifuged to increase the concentration of platelets to treat orthopaedic injuries and conditions. PRP injection may be a good alternative treatment in the management of tendon, ligament, muscle, and/or cartilage injury.
A PRP treatment is a relatively simple process: The doctor will draw blood then use a centrifuge to produce PRP. PRP contains a mixture of concentrated platelets, including cytokines and growth factors, and has anti-inflammatory properties. The PRP is injected into an injury site to stimulate the healing process. It can also be injected during a surgical process to augment healing and speed recovery.
PRP has been used for years to treat professional athletes and is now increasingly used to help active adolescents and adults with sports and other orthopaedic injuries.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
Blood is made up of four primary components: Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is the liquid component of blood—about 90% of it is water. Red blood cells transport oxygen, and white blood cells help the body respond to infections and injuries. Platelets are tiny cell fragments that circulate in the blood and play a central role in blood clotting. They can also be thought of as one of the first responders to an injury. When they arrive at the site of an injury, the platelets become activated and release growth factors and proteins called cytokines that promote the healing of injured tissues.
PRP is a therapy produced from the patient’s own blood that is made up of plasma and a high concentration of platelets. It is injected into the injured area, thereby introducing a high concentration of platelets (as well as growth factors and cytokines) to the injury site, helping it heal.
What is it like to have a platelet-rich plasma injection?
When receiving a PRP injection at White Sands integrative Medical, it’s important to follow the medical provider’s instructions on how quickly to return to sports or other activities to ensure optimal recovery. Because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, can impair platelet function, you may be advised to stop taking them for two weeks in advance of a PRP treatment.
You may also need to come back for additional PRP treatments, or your medical provider may provide PRP in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy or other medications.
What are the risks to platelet-rich plasma injections?
Platelet-rich plasma injections are minimally invasive and rarely cause side effects. Because it comes entirely from a patient’s own body, there is no concern about rejection or disease transmission. The most common side effects from PRP injection are discomfort, pain, and/or stiffness at the injection site.