What Are PRP Injections?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a type of treatment that uses the body’s natural healing abilities to promote faster healing after an orthopedic injury. It involves injecting a concentration of platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells into the affected area to stimulate healing. PRP injections have gained recognition around the world as a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for damaged ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Additionally, PRP treatment has been shown to alleviate painful symptoms of osteoarthritis in many patients.
The human blood is composed of four main structures, including platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Platelets move towards an injured area naturally and release growth factors to promote healing. Growth factors are capable of stimulating cellular growth and accelerating healing. According to medical research, PRP injections release 3-5 times more growth factors than regular human blood.
Common Uses Of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a form of biologic treatment that use the body’s natural healing abilities to accelerate healing after an orthopedic injury. PRP injections are increasingly recognized as a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for damaged ligaments, tendons, and muscles, as well as for alleviating painful osteoarthritis symptoms in many patients. The treatment involves using the patient’s own blood, which is composed of platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Platelets move toward injured areas and release growth factors that stimulate cellular growth and accelerate healing. PRP injections have been shown to release 3-5 times the growth factors compared to regular human blood.
PRP injections can be used to treat a number of orthopedic injuries and conditions, including ligament injuries, meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis, patellar instability, and arthritis in the knee, as well as rotator cuff injuries, biceps tendonitis, labral and SLAP tears, instability, and arthritis in the shoulder. There is no age limit to the healing benefits of PRP injections, and it may be an ideal treatment option for patients who have not experienced alleviated symptoms after non-surgical measures, such as physical therapy, modified activities, and medication, and are searching for a surgical alternative.
How Are Platelet Rich Plasma Injections Performed?
Platelet rich plasma injections are considered a less invasive alternative to surgery for many orthopedic injuries. The treatment process begins with a simple blood draw from the patient, which is then processed in a special machine to separate the four main components of blood. The platelet rich plasma is then separated from the other components and injected directly into the damaged area. This procedure is relatively simple and can typically be completed in a doctor’s office without the need for hospitalization or a lengthy recovery period