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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatments in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
When a tendon or ligament is torn, pulled or otherwise injured, ample blood flow to the area is needed to supply platelets and healing factors that encourage the development of new collagen fibers and restore strength and flexibility to the injured tissues. Insufficient blood flow or other shortfalls in the healing process can lead to malformation of collagen fibers and an overabundance of scar tissue that interferes with the healthy re-growth of tendons and ligaments. Scar tissue can prohibit blood flow, preventing the injured areas from healing properly.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a revolutionary treatment that uses a person’s own plasma (blood) to assist the healing and regeneration of tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. The therapy starts by simply drawing a patient’s blood and centrifuging it so that its platelets and growth factors can be used in their concentrated form, PRP, which acts as a potent tissue growth stimulant and speeds up the body’s natural healing process.
The attending physician guides a needle to the exact spot so that PRP can be injected directly into injured tissues. Because PRP is nothing but the patient’s own condensed blood with no additives, there is no risk of rejection or allergic response.
Although relatively new in the US, PRP has been widely and successfully used throughout Europe for years, and can be an effective solution for people suffering from chronic tendonitis, tendinosis, tendinopathy or an unhealed torn tendon. It is also effective for those with a recent injury who want to accelerate the healing process, making PRP attractive to athletes and others who may not have 8-12 weeks to spare before their injury heals on its own. This minimally-invasive procedure is performed right in the physician’s office, making it quick and cost-effective.
PRP therapy can be used to treat the following diseases/disorders:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendonitis/tearing of the knee, shoulder, hand or wrist
- Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Quadriceps, hamstring and other muscle pulls
- Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis of the foot
- A host of other conditions whose healing is slow or halted because of scarring or lack of blood flow