Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that relieves pain by promoting long-lasting healing of orthopedic conditions using your body’s own growth factors.
For decades, professional athletes have used platelet-rich plasma therapy to avoid surgery and benefit from a shortened injury recovery time. Platelet-rich plasma therapy has been shown to lead to more rapid, efficient, and thorough healing and stabilization of tissues, bringing them back to a healthy state.
The body’s natural response to an injury is to send platelets from the blood to the damaged tissues, which initiates the natural healing process.
Platelets store a vast array of growth factors which are released at the site of injury. Through a process called signaling, the platelets call for other healing factors to be drawn into the site of injury. Platelet-rich plasma acts in much the same way but with an extremely high dose of platelets specifically injected into the target area.
This treatment enhances the body’s healing response to acute, chronic or inflammatory diseases.
PRP consists of a concentrated solution of platelets, growth factors, signaling molecules and other plasma proteins that play a vital role in orchestrating tissue healing and joint stabilization. The PRP used in my medical facility contains a highly significant, industry-leading 7 to 10-fold increase in platelet concentration compared to whole blood.
How is this Procedure Done?
PRP is typically performed in the doctor's facility. A tailored PRP formulation is prepared depending on your specific requirement. The process begins with a routine blood draw.
The blood is then carefully separated into its various components using a bi-directional centrifuge in order to concentrate the desired cells into a usable treatment. This is then mixed with a small amount of the blood’s plasma to create platelet-rich plasma.
What Are The Benefits of PRP?
- Minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure.
- Enhanced healing with your own natural healing factors.
- Extremely low incidence of side effects.
- Minimal downtime.
- High success rate.
Is There Any Downtime After a PRP Procedure?
Many patients resume their activities immediately following the procedure. Some patients experience a mild flare-up of symptoms following a PRP injection. This will resolve in a day or two. Your provider will discuss specific limitations and rehab protocols with you before leaving the office. Our clinical team will walk you through each step of your post-procedure protocol, providing you with information and guidance to maximize your recovery.
When Can the Patient Expect Pain Relief?
Some patients experience pain relief shortly after their PRP procedure. It is typical for the effects to take 4 to 6 weeks to be fully experienced. Ongoing improvement from that point is also very typical. Our team will develop an optimized treatment and care plan specifically for your needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Case Report
A 31 year old male who is a professional basketball player complained of pain in both knees and left hip. The pain significantly affected his basketball performance. He also had difficulty with stairs and lying down on his left hip. His diagnosis was chondromalacia patella of both knees and arthritis of his left hip. James developed arthritis in his left hip from falling while playing basketball. Chondromalacia patella is the softening and breakdown of the tissue (cartilage) on the underside of the knee cap (patella).
James received platelet-rich plasma therapy to both knees and left hip. After only one week, he was back on the basketball court. On his follow-up appointment, he was feeling much better and playing great basketball.
Conditions Treated:
1. Shoulders
- Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
- Glenoid Labrum Tears
- Joint Arthritis
2. Elbow
- Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
- Partial Tear Distal Biceps Tendon
3. Wrist/Hand
- DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis
- Joint Arthritis
- Tendonitis of the Wrist and Hand
4. Hip
- Joint Arthritis
- Labrum Tear
- Trochanteric Bursitis
- Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
- Iliopsoas Bursitis and Tendonitis
- Iliotibial Band Tendonitis
5. Knee
- Joint Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Meniscus Tears
- Patella Tendonitis
- Major Ligament strains or partial tears (MCL, LCL, ACL)
- Chondromalacia Patellae
- Quadriceps Tendon Strain or Partial Tear
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
6. Ankle/Foot
- Achilles Tendonitis and Partial Tears
- Peroneal Tendonitis and Partial Tears
- Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and Partial Tears
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Joint Arthritis
- Recurrent Ankle Sprains
Schedule Your Consultation!
Call (718) 835-0100 and schedule your consultation today!