Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection Therapy

Platelet rich plasma, or PRP, is a type of blood plasma that has an increased concentration of platelets. Platelets are a type of blood cell, also called thrombocytes, that helps to promote healing and growth. When PRP is injected into the knee for joint pain, it can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Significant relief from symptoms often lasts six months or longer.

PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood. First, a small amount of your own blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood at high speeds, which causes the platelets to separate from the red blood cells. The platelet-rich plasma is then collected and can be injected into the knee for joint pain relief.

There are different types of preparation of PRP injections. For arthritic joints, the procedure involves obtaining a low level of white blood cells in the extraction and a high number of platelets and growth factors. White blood cells can cause an elevated inflammatory response with less benefit to preparations with lower white blood cell count (also known as leukocyte poor PRP). Not all PRP preparations are created equally. PSA is attentive to this and uses injections with a low number of white blood cells to obtain better pain relief.

When platelets are concentrated in plasma, they can help to promote healing and growth. When PRP is used to treat knee pain in patients, it helps to deliver these platelets and growth factors injected directly to the area that needs them most. PRP injections can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

There are many benefits to PRP injections for knee pain. Some of the key benefits include:

• Reduced inflammation
• Faster healing process
• Significant symptom relief from chronic pain
• Treat knee osteoarthritis
• Reduce pain and swelling
• Improve mobility
• Improved joint function
• Does not raise blood sugar levels the way that steroid injections do
• Symptom relief may last six months to a year after injection

If you are considering PRP injections, be sure to talk to your doctor about whether PRP injections are for you.

When platelets are concentrated in plasma, they can help to promote healing and growth. When PRP is injected into the knee joint capsule, it helps to deliver these platelets directly to the area that needs them most. This can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Not everyone is a candidate for platelet rich plasma injections. Orthopedic surgeons will be able to help you determine if PRP knee injections are the right treatment option for you. Generally, PRP injections are most beneficial for people who are experiencing pain or arthritis in the knee joint.

• Achilles tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Meniscus tear (Shock absorber in the knee)
• Hip arthritis
• Joint injury
• Chronic Tendon injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Shoulder osteoarthritis

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots, as well as other necessary growth and healing functions.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced from a person's own blood. It is a concentration of one type of blood cell (platelets), which is critical for blood clotting. This concentration is injected to an injured or diseased part of a person’s body to accelerate the healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and joints. A key advantage of PRP injections is that they can reduce the need for opioids, or even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. In fact, use of anti-inflammatories should usually be ceased at the time of PRP treatment, because the platelet-rich plasma optimizes the initial inflammatory response involved with healing.

PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood. It is then run ("spun down") in a centrifuge to separates the blood into its various components: red and white blood cells, plasma, platelets, etc. The platelets are collected and concentrated to anywhere from 2 to 8 times their normal number. The platelets are then mixed into a blood plasma liquid base and injected directly into the area of injury.

PRPs injections are used primarily for soft tissue injuries, such as minor rotator cuff and Achilles tendon tears. Its use in other soft-tissue injuries is becoming more common. It has been demonstrated to improve function and reduce pain in people who have tendonitis or chronic tendinosis conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

It can also be used to treat injuries to ligaments and muscles. For example, improved muscle regeneration has been shown in gastrocnemius (calf) muscle injuries.

Recent data suggests that PRP treatment is superior to than hyaluronic acid injections (also known as viscosupplementation or “gel shots”) for knee osteoarthritis, especially in regard to the duration of its positive effect. However, emerging data demonstrates that PRP combined with hyaluronic acid is more effective than either treatment alone.

• As with any type of injection, there are some risks associated with PRP injection. Some of the potential risks include:
• Infection
• Temporarily increased pain
• Bleeding at the injection site
• Nerve damage
• Skin irritation

After you are treated with a platelet rich plasma injection, you may experience some minor side effects during the healing process. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Pain

These side effects are usually mild and temporary. You can expect to feel better after a few days following your injection. You will also likely be instructed to avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks after the injection. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect after your PRP injection and how to best care.

If you experience pain for several weeks after injection, please discuss this with your provider.

If PRP injections are not right for you, there are other treatment options available. Some of the most common alternatives to PRP injections include:

• Anti inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Gel injections
• Surgery