PRP Injection Therapy

PRP Injection Therapy Q&A

What is PRP Injection Therapy?

PRP Injection Therapy is a completely natural treatment which draws upon your body’s own innate ability to heal itself. As part of the of the healing process, platelets and other components in human blood migrate to the point of care. Platelets release growth factors that respond to tissue injury and initiate and promote the conditions for healing. PRP Injection Therapy simply speeds up the process by introducing platelets directly to the area of injury.

To retrieve PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), a small amount of blood is drawn and then spun in a special centrifuge to separate your Platelet Rich Plasma from your other blood cells. This plasma is then injected into or around the specific areas of injury. The procedure is performed right in our office at Sunshine Health Care Center.

How Does PRP Promote Healing?

Upon activation, platelets from your own plasma release growth factors and other molecules which promote healing, collagen production and elastin production among other benefits. These growth factors are regeneration-promoting signaling molecules, such as Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Transforming Growth Factor group (TGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and others. These molecules are shown to regulate the healing cascade, including inflammation and cell proliferation, and induce stem cell activity in the region of injury. This promotes a rapid healing response.

What Sorts of Injuries can PRP Heal?

PRP injection therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of injuries and conditions. In addition, it also has shown promise in helping post surgery recovery. Some of the conditions that PRP can help with are:

• Chronic Tendon Injuries
• Acute Ligament and Muscle Injuries
• Orthopedic Surgery Recovery
• Knee Arthritis
• Fractures
• Tennis Elbow
• Plantar fasciitis
• and more

Regenerative Injection Therapy is also a great, long-term treatment for Chronic Pain, Back Pain, Joint Pain and other degenerative injuries. It’s absolutely a viable and effective alternative to surgery to treat chronic pain.

How Many Treatments Does It Take?

Depending on the condition of the affected area, we recommend at least 2 treatments, and up to 4 for greatest improvement. The PRP injections are normally spaced at least 6 weeks apart for acute injuries, and up to 6 months apart for chronic conditions. PRP treatments for arthritis have been shown to be effective at reducing pain and inflammation, though it has not been shown to regrow lost cartilage. However, the fact that the condition does not worsen is significant, though, it may require indefinite repeated injections on a 6-12 month basis to maintain effectiveness.