Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injections use components of the body's own blood to stimulate healing. Platelets, which are usually associated with coagulation (clotting), are also, according to recent research, able to assist in mending and strengthening damaged tissue by increasing certain growth factors. During the normal healing process, the body uses platelets to promote new-tissue growth and repair injuries. By supplementing platelet content, the healing process is accelerated. There is ongoing research on the efficacy of PRP injections, and some medical professionals remain skeptical about their value.
Conditions Treated with Platelet-Rich-Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich-plasma injections can be used to treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including the following:
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Joint pain
- Ligament sprains or tears
- Nerve inflammation
- Postsurgical healing from tendon or ligament repair
PRP therapy is also used to promote rapid healing after nonorthopedic surgeries, including cosmetic ones.
Benefits of Platelet-Rich-Plasma Injections
There are several benefits to PRP therapy. They include the fact that the platelet-rich plasma being injected is autologous (comes from the patient), so there is no risk of cross-reactivity, immune reaction or disease transmission. It is also minimally invasive (unlike surgery), and facilitates healing (unlike corticosteroids).
The Platelet-Rich-Plasma-Injection Procedure
During the PRP-injection procedure, which usually incorporates ultrasound imaging, a small amount of blood is withdrawn from the patient. This blood is processed in a centrifuge to separate its various elements, and concentrate the platelets. The resulting plasma is up to five times more concentrated with platelets than "natural" blood. Once concentrated, the platelets are loaded, along with some of the patient's whole blood, into a sterile syringe, and injected into the patient.
The procedure is usually performed under local anesthetic in a physician's office. A typical patient experiences little or no discomfort from the injection, but the injection site is usually inflamed and sore for about 48 hours. Taking pain medication and applying ice are recommended.
Most patients require one to three PRP injections, about 4 to 6 weeks apart, in order to achieve optimal results. Occasionally, a fourth injection is necessary. Typically, by the fifth day after an injection, the patient has a significant reduction in pain, and can begin physical therapy.
Risks of Platelet-Rich-Plasma Injections
Although PRP injections are generally safe and effective, sterilization is of great importance. There is a slight chance of infection or blood clots, and the remote possibility of allergic reaction.
What does a platelet-rich plasma injection do?
A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is an orthopedic therapy that uses a patient's platelets to accelerate the healing of damaged joints, ligaments, tendons, or muscles. Your plasma contains proteins that help your blood clot as well as support cell growth.
How much does a platelet rich plasma injections cost?
The overall PRP treatment cost depends on many factors, including the number of sessions required for the therapy to be effective, the number of injections being performed, number of areas being treated, etc. It also depends on whether or not the patient is getting a plasma injection (contains some platelets and growth factors) or hyper-concentrated platelet rich plasma injection (contains considerably more platelets per unit volume).
Are PRP injections worth the money?
Although several trials have found PRP injections or treatment ineffective, substantial studies have shown that the injection expedites the healing process, lessens the pain, and helps patients with osteoarthritis or tendon injuries to return to their physical activities.
How long do PRP injections last?
PRP injections are not permanent, and the length of their effectiveness can vary. When performed by themselves without other ortho biologics given concurrently, single solitary PRP treatments last up to two years, while others may decrease in effectiveness after about nine months. If multiple treatments are given, this can augment the amount of time the PRP lasts. The amount of time it lasts is also depending on the severity of pathology and how active the person is; the more a person beats on their joint, the last time the effect of the PRP is likely to last.
What are the potential downsides of PRP?
After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and bruising at the injection site. Because PRP injections are made up of your own cells and plasma, the risk of an allergic reaction is much lower than with other injectable medications like corticosteroids. Less common risks of PRP injections include bleeding, infection, or a hyper-inflammatory response that sometimes lasts weeks (depends partly on how many white blood cells are in the patient's injectate). Also, there are no guarantees in any medical procedure that it will be effective (including joint replacement surgery done at the most prestigious institution), so the risk of it not producing the desired result is not zero.
