What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a non-surgical treatment that harnesses your body’s own healing powers to address a wide range of injuries, chronic pain, and ailments. By using growth factors and proteins derived from your blood, PRP speeds up healing and helps relieve pain. This innovative technique is rapidly advancing in orthopedics and sports medicine. Since PRP injections are made from your own blood, they are autologous—meaning no synthetic substances or donor materials are involved.
How Does PRP Work?
Your blood contains platelets, plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells. The key components used in PRP therapy are the platelets and plasma, which are rich in proteins and growth factors essential for healing.
The PRP process involves:
- Drawing blood from your arm
- Placing the blood into a centrifuge, which spins at high speed
- Separating the blood components so that platelet-rich plasma is isolated
- Injecting the concentrated platelet-rich plasma directly into the injured or painful area
The growth factors in the platelets stimulate the production of new cells, collagen, and tissue, accelerating healing and reducing pain. Most patients require multiple treatment sessions over several weeks or months to see significant results. PRP therapy often offers an alternative to surgery and the prolonged recovery it entails.
Who Is a Candidate for PRP Therapy?
PRP injections are used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Tendon, muscle, ligament, joint, or disc inflammation, deterioration, or pain
- Injuries to tendons, muscles, ligaments, joints, or discs
- Spinal pain
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Osteoarthritis
- MCL injuries
- Athletic injuries
- Gluteal tendinosis
- Chronic pain
In some cases, PRP can reduce or eliminate the need for pharmaceutical pain medications.
PRP for Hair Loss
PRP therapy can also stimulate hair growth by injecting platelet-rich plasma directly into the scalp. The concentrated growth factors from your own blood encourage hair follicles to produce new hair. While research is ongoing, many patients have found it beneficial for hair thinning or loss. If you are experiencing hair loss, consult with us to see if PRP treatment is a suitable option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about PRP
Which soft tissue injuries can be treated with PRP?
Injuries and damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments are often treatable with PRP. Examples include:
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and tendonitis
- Patellar tendinopathy and tendonitis
- Achilles tendinopathy and tendonitis
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Plantar fasciitis
Does PRP really work?
Studies are currently limited, but we do know that the injection of platelet-rich plasma is low risk and we have seen the benefits it can provide to proper candidates. PRP injections improve and speed the body’s ability to heal.
What are the side effects of PRP injections?
Severe complications associated with PRP injections are not common, which may be because the injections are your own blood. Nonetheless, side effects are possible. After the injections, you may experience pain and/or soreness at the injection site. There is a risk of infection, as is the case with most injectable treatments. There are also risks of tissue damage and nerve injury. There is also the risk that the injections do not provide the relief hoped for.
During your consultation, we review all of the possible risks and side effects possible. You have the right to make an informed decision about PRP injections.
How long does it take for PRP injections to start working?
It often takes about 6 months to get the full benefits of these injections. This timeline varies based on what is being treated and the individual person.
Do PRP injections hurt?
You will likely feel a pinch as the needle is inserted. The level of discomfort depends a lot on the treatment area. Whether the joints, lower back, knees or ankles are being treated – all of those areas have different degrees of sensitivity.
You may feel nervous about the injection appointments. We know each person has his or her own tolerance for and comfort with injections. Overall, PRP injections are not described as painful by our patients.
Are PRP results permanent?
Unfortunately, no. PRP results are not permanent but can last up to a year before you may need new PRP injections.
How much do PRP injections cost?
The only way to get a definite idea of cost is to schedule a consultation. The cost varies based on the treatment area, number of appointments and other factors. In general, most PRP treatments cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Most health insurance policies do not provide PRP coverage, but check your own policy for details.