What is a Platelet-rich plasma injection?
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 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.
What is plasma and what are platelets?
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.
Why consider having PRP treatment?
When injury occurs in the body, blood flow is needed to supply the necessary cells and nutrients to drive the healing process. There are certain areas in the body that have very limited blood flow. When injured, these areas with poor blood flow are more difficult to heal than other tissues that have good blood flow. This is especially true of tendons and cartilage including meniscus. So, how can you improve healing potential in tissue that does not have good blood flow? One answer is PRP. Injecting concentrated platelets delivers high volumes of growth factors and proteins that signal and drive your body’s healing response.
Is Platelet-rich plasma therapy safe?
Research and clinical data show that PRP treatments are extremely safe with minimal risk for any adverse reaction or complication. Because the injected platelets are produced from your own body, there is no concern for rejection or disease transmission. There is a small risk of infection from any injection, but this is very rare. PRP does not have the risk of negative side effects that can occur with steroid injections or NSAIDs.
How is PRP performed?
PRP is performed on an outpatient basis in the office setting. You will want to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medication or steroids for at least one week prior to PRP treatment as these medicines can negatively affect platelets.
Treatment with PRP is separated into two steps: preparing the PRP for injection followed by injecting the PRP into the affected area.
First, blood is drawn from your arm. The blood is placed into a centrifuge which spins the blood fast enough to separate it into layers based on weight. Heavier parts (e.g., red blood cells) stay on the bottom. Platelets and white blood cells spin out just above the red blood cell layer. Plasma fluid makes up the top layer. The middle layer containing the concentrated platelets is collected and will be used for injection. Once you have had your blood drawn, the sample is prepared right away followed by injecting the PRP the same day. You will not be asleep during the procedure. The whole process typically takes less than one hour.
What to expect after the procedure?
After PRP injection into your joints, there is usually minimal pain. However, with PRP injection into tendon, there is typically moderate pain for the first few days. Typically, PRP injections into tendon will require immobilization for a few days after the procedure. Once you return home, you can use ice over the injected area, elevate the leg or arm and limit your activities as much as needed to remain comfortable. You will need to avoid all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naprosyn, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex and Mobic as these can block the effect of the platelets.
Improvement after PRP injection does not happen overnight. Growing new tendon and healing tissue take time. Most patients see some improvement at one month. But, full improvement can take 10-12 weeks or longer.
Does my insurance pay for PRP?
Unfortunately, even though it is highly effective, PRP is still considered experimental and investigational. Therefore, insurance does not cover this treatment.
How much does a PRP injection cost?
The cost of PRP treatment is $995 for a single area of injury/joint. We accept cash, check, debit/credit cards. This covers the cost of evaluation/consultation and the supplies for the injection.
*Some patient's may require more than one treatment.