What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy?
PRP is an innovative form of stem cell technology used to help relieve pain and treat common injuries and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament strains, tendonitis, sprains (etc.). This revolutionary treatment is showing exciting potential as an alternative to surgery, and has received much attention in the media thanks to high profile athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods and Hines Ward who have used this non-surgical treatment for their sports injuries.
How does PRP Therapy help?
The body’s natural response to an injury is to deliver platelet cells. Platelet cells contain growth and healing factors, which initiate the repair process in injured tissue and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. PRP therapy intensifies the body’s natural healing process by delivering a high concentration of platelet cells to the area of need.
How is the procedure carried out?
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy involves having a sample of your blood drawn (similar to a lab test sample). The blood is placed in a centrifuge which spins the sample at very high speeds in order to separate the platelets in the blood from other components. The isolated plasma is then injected into and around the point of injury, jumpstarting and intensifying the body’s natural healing process. Because your own blood is used, there is a very low risk for allergic reactions and virtually no risk of a transmittable infection.
How often is this procedure done?
Up to three injections can be administered within a six month time period. There must be a 2-3 week gap in between injections, however, you may gain considerable relief after the first or second injection.
What are the expected results?
PRP is a method intended to relieve pain by targeting the area of injury and enhancing tissue repair. Research and clinical studies have proven PRP therapy as an effective means of treating pain for the long term and returning patients to their normal daily lives. The resulting tissue repair from PRP treatment has been definitively confirmed by MRI and ultrasound images. Furthermore, the need for surgery can be greatly reduced using PRP therapy, since it can treat injured issue before the damage progresses and the condition becomes irreversible.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Kioomars Moosazadeh, M.D.
