Platelet Rich Plasma: PRP
PRP is a regenerative injection process, stronger than Prolotherapy. Like prolotherapy it is also used for painful joints, ligaments, or tendons to stimulate the body to produce new healthy tissues. This helps to reduce pain, improve movement and restore function.
We use PRP for more severe injuries or for patients who want to recover faster. Each session of PRP is equivalent to several prolotherapy sessions. Preparing PRP is much more involved, so more expensive than Prolotherapy.
Your blood is drawn from your arm, just like is done for lab testing. The sample is then processed to remove red and white blood cells, purifying your sample to a golden-coloured platelet rich plasma. The platelets in PRP contain growth factors and other healing substances that are released upon injection back into the injured or painful tissue. These stimulate an inflammatory response and in turn proliferation of cells needed for healing and tissue regeneration. Since we are repairing the damaged tissue, we expect long lasting, durable improvements.
The injection is done using ultrasound guidance to ensure the injection is safe and accurate.
Common Questions
Conditions Treated
> Sprains and sports injuries
> Joint pain
> Rotator cuff injuries
> Tennis or Golfer's Elbow
> Plantar fasciitis
> Achilles tendonitis
> Greater trochanter pain
> Low back pain: SI instability
> Other ligament or tendon injuries
Number of Treatments
1-2 treatments are typically required, 6-8 weeks apart.
Injection Details
Your blood is drawn, and the sample is purified to platelet rich plasma, containing platelets and growth factors important for healing. This is injected, with 1% lidocaine, to heal injured or painful tissue.
Potential Risks
Post-treatment soreness is expected for 1-7 days.
Risks of any injection include infection, bleeding, reaction to injectate and damage to adjacent structures.*
*Please refer to info sheet link above.
Aftercare
PRP will produce inflammatory discomfort for 1-7 days after injection, this is the start of the healing process. Do not use ice or anti-inflammatories 1 week before and after injection - this blunts the healing response.
Acetaminophen is an appropriate option.
Cost
PRP is not an MSP-insured service.
$500 - $1000 per treatment.