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Online SchedulingPRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Frequently Asked Questions
What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy?
PRP injections offer a unique and regenerative approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions by using the human body’s natural ability to heal itself to augment or even accelerate the healing of these injuries.
PRP therapy involves taking the patient’s own blood and placing it in a machine called a centrifuge which separates the blood into several components, one of which is called platelet-rich plasma. Platelets contain many growth factors which have been shown to be very important with regard to healing. The process of centrifuging concentrates these platelets so that they are present in much higher numbers than what would typically be found in the bloodstream. That platelet-rich plasma is then injected at the site of the injury to induce and potentially accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
Is PRP new?
The technology has been used for years in surgical applications and wound care. Though still considered experimental in nature, the use of PRP for musculoskeletal injuries is evolving into a promising treatment for both acute and chronic injuries. There are a number of medical studies supporting the use of PRP for tendon and ligament injuries.
What conditions can be treated with PRP?
Many research studies have been performed, and many are currently looking at the effectiveness of PRP treatment. The most promising results to date have been with soft tissue injuries, including tendonitis, tendon tears, ligament sprains or tears, loos ligaments, and muscle tears. PRP has also been effective in treating cartilage degeneration such as arthritis. In some cases it can be used in conjunction with a surgical procedure.
- Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendinitis, rotator cuff impingement syndrome or bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, labrum tears, arthritis, instability
- Elbow/wrist/hand: Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis, trigger finger, arthritis, ortho wrist and finger tendinitis
- Knee: Patellar tendinitis, partially torn or strained major ligaments of the knee (ACL/LCL/MCL), meniscus tears, chrondromalacia, arthritis, instability
- Ankle: Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, ankle sprain, instability, other foot or ankle tendinitis
How do I determine if I’m a good candidate?
Here are some general guidelines:
- You have experienced a pain duration of 3-6 months or longer;
- You experience persistent pain despite physical therapy, activity modification, NSAIDs; and
- You wish to pursue an alternative to surgical treatment.
How long does it take?
Generally a PRP injection requires an initial visit to see if the injury would benefit from such treatment, then a follow-up visit for the treatment itself is scheduled. The actual injection process takes about 30 minutes and a majority of the time that involves drawing and processing the patient’s blood for the injection.
How long is the recovery time?
Post procedure pain and activity progression varies among patients. Patients typically have their regular range of motion at the site of injection immediately following the procedure and typically progress to regular activities and light aerobic activity within the first few days to 2 weeks, depending on the site treated. Rehabilitation is done under the supervision of a physical therapist and specific home exercises are tailored for patient progress. It is common for patients to feel increased pain immediately following the injection which resolves typically in one to two weeks.
Is PRP painful?
Patients typically tolerate the procedure well, although post-injection soreness is expected in some cases given the PRP-induced inflammatory response which may occur.
How many treatments do you need?
One to three treatments depending on the degree of the injury and how long the injury has been there. Your first PRP injection may bring satisfactory relief, and you may not need to have a second PRP injection. However, it is occasionally the case that multiple injections are best for your condition. However, there is no guarantee that any number of treatments will cure the injury. This will be discussed further at your appointment with the physician.
Are there any exclusion criteria that inhibit someone from getting PRP?
Severe anemia, low platelet count, abnormal platelet function, active systemic infection or active cancers are all contra-indications. Patients with such contra-indications will therefore most likely not be approved for PRP injections.
How long does it take to work?
Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2 to 6 weeks after the treatment, but this varies from patient to patient and there is no guarantee that PRP injections will provide any improvement.
How long does PRP treatment last?
PRP lasts anywhere from six to nine months, during which time it will continue to aid in healing the soft-tissue injury.
How long after PRP can I take anti-inflammatory medication?
It is recommended that you avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications for up to six weeks after the procedure to avoid interfering with the natural healing process. If you have questions about this, please ask your physician before the procedure.
PRP injections offer a unique and regenerative approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions by using the human body’s natural ability to heal itself to augment or even accelerate the healing of these injuries.
PRP therapy involves taking the patient’s own blood and placing it in a machine called a centrifuge which separates the blood into several components, one of which is called platelet-rich plasma. Platelets contain many growth factors which have been shown to be very important with regard to healing. The process of centrifuging concentrates these platelets so that they are present in much higher numbers than what would typically be found in the bloodstream. That platelet-rich plasma is then injected at the site of the injury to induce and potentially accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
The technology has been used for years in surgical applications and wound care. Though still considered experimental in nature, the use of PRP for musculoskeletal injuries is evolving into a promising treatment for both acute and chronic injuries. There are a number of medical studies supporting the use of PRP for tendon and ligament injuries.
Many research studies have been performed, and many are currently looking at the effectiveness of PRP treatment. The most promising results to date have been with soft tissue injuries, including tendonitis, tendon tears, ligament sprains or tears, loos ligaments, and muscle tears. PRP has also been effective in treating cartilage degeneration such as arthritis. In some cases it can be used in conjunction with a surgical procedure.
- Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendinitis, rotator cuff impingement syndrome or bursitis, bicipital tendinitis, labrum tears, arthritis, instability
- Elbow/wrist/hand: Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis, trigger finger, arthritis, ortho wrist and finger tendinitis
- Knee: Patellar tendinitis, partially torn or strained major ligaments of the knee (ACL/LCL/MCL), meniscus tears, chrondromalacia, arthritis, instability
- Ankle: Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, ankle sprain, instability, other foot or ankle tendinitis
Here are some general guidelines:
- You have experienced a pain duration of 3-6 months or longer;
- You experience persistent pain despite physical therapy, activity modification, NSAIDs; and
- You wish to pursue an alternative to surgical treatment.
Generally a PRP injection requires an initial visit to see if the injury would benefit from such treatment, then a follow-up visit for the treatment itself is scheduled. The actual injection process takes about 30 minutes and a majority of the time that involves drawing and processing the patient’s blood for the injection.
Post procedure pain and activity progression varies among patients. Patients typically have their regular range of motion at the site of injection immediately following the procedure and typically progress to regular activities and light aerobic activity within the first few days to 2 weeks, depending on the site treated. Rehabilitation is done under the supervision of a physical therapist and specific home exercises are tailored for patient progress. It is common for patients to feel increased pain immediately following the injection which resolves typically in one to two weeks.
Patients typically tolerate the procedure well, although post-injection soreness is expected in some cases given the PRP-induced inflammatory response which may occur.
One to three treatments depending on the degree of the injury and how long the injury has been there. Your first PRP injection may bring satisfactory relief, and you may not need to have a second PRP injection. However, it is occasionally the case that multiple injections are best for your condition. However, there is no guarantee that any number of treatments will cure the injury. This will be discussed further at your appointment with the physician.
Severe anemia, low platelet count, abnormal platelet function, active systemic infection or active cancers are all contra-indications. Patients with such contra-indications will therefore most likely not be approved for PRP injections.
Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2 to 6 weeks after the treatment, but this varies from patient to patient and there is no guarantee that PRP injections will provide any improvement.
PRP lasts anywhere from six to nine months, during which time it will continue to aid in healing the soft-tissue injury.
It is recommended that you avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications for up to six weeks after the procedure to avoid interfering with the natural healing process. If you have questions about this, please ask your physician before the procedure.