Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRS) is an innovative injury treatment that uses a patient’s own platelet enriched blood plasma to stimulate the healing of soft tissue and bone. PRP contains several growth factors essential for cellular recruitment, multiplication and specialization that are vital in initiating and accelerating tissue repair and regeneration in the healing process. These growth factors contained in PRP increase stem cell production to initiate connective tissue healing, bone regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels and stimulate the wound healing process.
PRP Collection & Activation
During a PRP procedure a small amount of whole blood is drawn from the patient. Once the platelets are collected there are two steps taken to prepare the PRP to be injected into the patient. They include: an “soft” spin in a centrifugal separator to divide out plasma and platelets from red and white cells, followed by a “hard” spin that further concentrates the platelets into platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) components. The concentrate is then activated with the addition of thrombin or calcium.
When PRP is injected into the injured area it stimulates the damaged area causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade. As a result new collagen begins to develop. As this collagen matures it begins to shrink causing the tightening and strengthening of the damaged area.
Conditions treated by PRP
RPR injections help regenerate many areas of the body and it has been shown to improve function and decrease pain of numerous conditions.
We treat patients with PRP who have:
- Injured or Torn Tendons, Muscles, Meniscus and Ligaments
- Arthritic and Degenerative Joints
- Degenerative Disc Disease in the Cervical, Thoracic or Lumbar Spine
The Benefits of PRP
- PRP works naturally. Your body provides everything that’s needed for its own healing.
- PRP is safe. RPR is extremely safe and has a minimal risk for any adverse reaction or complication.
- Quicker recovery with PRP. Treatment with PRP can potentially speed the recovery time and has considerably shorter recovery time than required after surgery.
- RPR strengthens: RPR injections does not weaken structures like cortisone does, it actually strengthens them.
- PRP may eliminate need for surgery. PRP treatment may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments such as long term medication or surgery and may provide increased function and decrease or eliminate chronic pain.
- PRP is an in office procedure. PRP injections can be done in a doctor’s office in a little less than one hour.
