Tissue Repair Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections is a therapeutic intervention that involves the use of a patient’s blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets.

The purpose of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections is to stimulate the body’s natural healing process by introducing a high concentration of growth factors to the site of tissue damage or injury. PRP injection has been used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including tendinopathies, muscle injuries, and osteoarthritis. The growth factors present in PRP can promote angiogenesis, cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, PRP has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) are cells derived from the blood and they contain an abundance of growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents (IGF, TGF, VEGF etc). If the body sustains an injury, then platelets are naturally delivered to the injury site. They will release the bioactive factors that stimulate tissue repair. PRP presents patients with a long-lasting, permanent solution that will not wear off over time as with a traditional pain injection. For this reason, the use of PRP could help a patient avoid joint replacement surgery, and potentially back surgery. With any treatment option, the effectiveness of the treatment depends upon the severity of the injury.

Creation of PRP is simple and conveniently done during an office visit. The entire process only takes less than one hour to complete. The process is quite simple: a sample of blood is taken, and the platelets are spun into a concentration through centrifugation. The separated platelets are then injected into the damaged or injured part of the body. When PRP is injected into the damaged area, it stimulates the tendon or ligament to activate the healing cascade. Ultrasound or guided x-ray (fluoroscopic) imaging is used to guide the injection. As a result, new collagen begins to form in the injured tissue. As this collagen matures, it can become stronger and tighter, and eventually may allow the tendons or ligaments to withstand the stress of daily and sports related activities. PRP therapy is an office procedure that can take roughly an hour.

Conditions treated with Platelet Rich Therapy

• Degenerative Disc Disease (of the spine)
• Chronic back and neck pain
• Sciatica
• Spinal disc herniations and tears
• Painful joints (and joint injuries) of the: spine (facet joints), hip, knee, and ankle
• Osteoarthritis of the joints

Because the goal of PRP therapy is to resolve pain through healing, it could prove to have lasting results. Patients can see significant improvement in symptoms, this may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments, such as long-term medication or surgery. Platelet rich plasma research has shown improvement in the acceleration of tissue healing by as much as 50%. Both ultrasound and MRI images have shown definitive tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the healing process.

How many treatments are necessary and how often is therapy administered?

Everyone will respond differently to treatment so it could take more than one injection to experience significant improvement. If more than one injection is suggested as part of the treatment plan, then they would be spaced out appropriately. This can range anywhere from six to twelve or more weeks depending on the recovery period and to allow for enough time to pass to determine levels of improvement.

If you have a tendon or ligament injury and traditional methods have not provided relief, then PRP therapy may be the solution. The procedure is less aggressive and less expensive than surgery. It will help to promote tissue healing with minimal to no scarring and prevent further degeneration of the tissue.

Recovery time can also vary depending on the type and complexity of the surgery, as well as the patient’s individual factors. However, following proper post-operative care guidelines can aid in a patient’s recovery and minimize the risk of complications. In conclusion, complications and recovery time are important considerations in surgery, and healthcare providers must take proactive measures to manage these factors effectively.

Research