Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a recently developed medical technique that uses a concentrated portion of your blood to try to improve and accelerate the healing of various tissues (cartilage, tendons, ligaments). There is considerable interest in using these PRP products for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly athletic injuries.
Because PRP products are safe and easy to prepare and administer, there has been increased attention toward using PRP in numerous clinical settings. Platelet-rich plasma has been used to treat conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, ligament and muscle strains, and tears of the rotator cuff, anterior cruciate ligament, and Achilles tendon. 1
Preliminary findings support the us of PRP as an effective and safe method in the treatment of the initial stages of knee osteoarthritis.2
Platelet Rich Plasma is part of a non-surgical alternative injetion treatment offered at the Magaziner Center for Wellness that also includes Prolotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy.
In PRP therapy, a small sample of your blood is drawn (similar to a lab test sample) and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into and around the point of injury, jump-starting and significantly strengthening the body’s natural healing signal. Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection and a very low risk of allergic reaction.
No hospital stay is required. The procedure is performed safely in a medical office and takes approximately one to two hours. And that’s including preparation and recovery time. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.
Because the goal of PRP therapy is to resolve pain through healing, it could prove to have lasting results. Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks, gradually increasing as the healing progresses.
2. Spaková T, Rosocha J, Lacko M, et al. Treatment of Knee Joint Osteoarthritis with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Comparison with Hyaluronic Acid. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Feb 28.