The Healing Power Of PRP Injections

If you've ever been sidelined by a sports injury, like tennis elbow, you might have wished for a faster way to heal. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are becoming a game-changer in sports medicine, offering accelerated recovery times for overused tendons and more.

Key Takeaways: Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

• Platelet-rich plasma injections  (or PRP injections) use a patient’s own blood to promote healing in damaged tendons, ligaments and joints.
• The procedure is quick and minimally invasive — roughly 30 to 40 minutes in-office, involving a blood draw, isolating the platelets, numbing the area, and then the injection itself.
• PRP therapy concentrates growth factors that may help reduce pain and support tissue regeneration.
• PRP injections are a minimally invasive treatment option commonly used for chronic orthopedic and sports-related injuries.

What Is PRP Therapy?

PRP, or “platelet-rich plasma,” is a revolutionary new treatment for chronic sports and musculoskeletal injuries that is taking the sports medicine and orthopedic community by storm.

PRP therapy uses your blood's healing capabilities to speed recovery. Blood includes 93 percent red cells (RBCs), 6 percent platelets, 1 percent white blood cells (WBCs), and the plasma that moves the components throughout your body. Human platelets are naturally rich in connective tissue growth factors. PRP uses a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma to stimulate healing. 

"Injecting these growth factors into damaged ligaments, tendons and joints, stimulates the body's natural repair process," Dr. Reese said.

In PRP therapy, providers concentrate the platelets so you can benefit from their natural healing proteins.

"In the sports medicine office, to get platelet-rich plasma, we draw the patient's blood, spin it down in a centrifuge and then take out the part rich in platelets," said Dr. Reese. They then inject it into your damaged tissue. "It's a concentrated platelet product rich in growth factors, proteins, cytokines and other molecules, which are important in tissue healing."

What Conditions Are Treated With PRP Injections?

PRP treatment works best for chronic ligament and tendon sprains or strains that haven't responded well to traditional therapies. Injuries and conditions that benefit from PRP injections include:

• Achilles tendinosis
• Arthritis in knee and hip joints
• Chronic tendon issues like tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
• Hamstring tendinosis
• Patellofemoral syndrome and patellar tendinosis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries
• Shoulder pain and instability
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Trochanteric bursitis

If physical therapy, cortisone injections or medications haven’t helped your injury, PRP may be a good option for you.

What Are The Benefits Of PRP?

For athletes who've tried everything from physical therapy to anti-inflammatory medicine without success, PRP therapy offers a promising alternative.

"Imagine your tendons start out like a brand-new box of spaghetti - straight and organized. Over time, they get cooked, twisted and disorganized," Dr. Reese said. "PRP reorganizes and strengthens these 'noodles' by stimulating a natural repair process."

PRP injections help with the following:

• Healing sports injuries
• Maxillofacial procedures (jaw surgery)
• Skin rejuvenation in dermatology

What Is The Downside Of PRP Injections?

While PRP injections are generally considered safe and effective for treating several injuries and conditions, there are some potential downsides to consider:

• Cost and insurance - At around $425 per session, insurance, including Medicare, does not usually cover PRP.
• Discomfort - The procedure involves drawing blood and injecting the platelets into the injured area, which can cause mild pain.
• Effectiveness - Results can vary for each person depending on the area treated.
• Research and Results - PRP has been used for years and has shown promise, but it is still considered a relatively new treatment approach with varying results.

What To Expect From PRP Treatment?

The PRP procedure is straightforward and takes 30 to 40 minutes in the office. It begins with a blood draw (like getting a blood test), isolating the platelets, and then numbing the treatment area. The concentrated platelets are then injected under ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement.

"It's a quick procedure with potentially huge benefits for recovery and long-term health," Dr. Reese said.

What Are The Potential Outcomes Of PRP Injections?

Studies show an 80 to 85 percent improvement in reduced pain and enhanced function. Some people experience complete relief from their pain. It usually takes about three to 12 months to feel the full benefits of PRP.

"I would say three months is kind of that magic number to get that full benefit from it," said Dr. Reese. "It's not an immediate magical cure. The goal of PRP is to create long-term healing. So, it's not a quick fix."

Should I Avoid Any Medications When Having PRP?

A week before the injections and a month after, it's critical to avoid anti-inflammatory medications, which can interfere with the healing response. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication.

How Long Do PRP Injections Last?

After the initial treatment, your doctor will schedule a follow-up visit four to eight weeks later to check on the healing progress. Some patients respond very well to just one treatment. However, some people need two or three treatments. In those cases, doctors provide injections every eight to 12 weeks.

Get Care For Your Injury

Don't let injuries hold you back. Schedule your PRP therapy consultation at Franciscan Health Sports Medicine today and start your journey back to peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions: PRP Therapy

Why does PRP work?

Human platelets are naturally rich in connective tissue growth factors. Injecting these growth factors into damaged ligaments, tendons and joints stimulates a natural repair process. But in order to benefit from these natural healing proteins, the platelets must first be concentrated. In other words, PRP recreates and stimulates the body’s natural healing process.

Do PRP injections hurt?

Because the injured area is first anesthetized with lidocaine, the actual injections are only mildly to moderately uncomfortable. Once the lidocaine wears off after a few hours, there is usually moderate pain for the next few days. For the first week after the injections, it is critical to avoid anti-inflammatory medications. These will interfere with the healing response. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication.

How often are PRP injections done?

After the initial treatment, a follow-up visit is scheduled four to eight weeks later to check on the healing progress. Some patients respond very well to just one treatment. However, sometimes two to three treatments are necessary. Injections are given every eight to twelve weeks.

What is the success rate for PRP?

Studies suggest an improvement of 80 to 85% with decreased pain and increased function. Some patients experience complete relief of their pain.

How can I get the most benefit from my PRP?

To get maximum benefit from the treatment and to help prevent re-injury, a specially-designed rehabilitation and exercise program is incorporated into your treatment. This helps the newly developing connective tissue mature into healthy and strong tendon or ligament fibers. In addition, nutritional support, such as glucosamine, MSM and increased protein intake can help the healing process.