Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment gaining popularity for treating many ailments. PRP contains a high concentration of growth factors, which are important in wound healing.
The procedure involves drawing blood and running it in a centrifuge that separates the blood into layers based on weight. The layer containing the concentrated platelets is collected and used for injections under ultrasound guidance. Contact House of Aesthetix now!
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated solution of blood that contains increased numbers of platelets and growth factors. When injected into an injured area, the growth factors and cytokines help stimulate and accelerate the healing process.
The doctor draws a sample of the patient’s blood and puts it in a centrifuge, a device that spins at high speeds and separates the platelets from the red blood cells. The doctor then removes the platelet-rich plasma from the centrifuge and mixes it with a sterile saline solution.
Because PRP is made from autologous blood, it is inherently safe and free of transmissible diseases. The doctor may use a syringe or a special catheter to inject the PRP into the damaged area of the joint or tendon.
Once injected, the PRP activates the clotting system of the blood and begins secreting its own growth factors. Within 10 minutes, the platelets secrete 70% of their stored growth factors and begin to synthesize additional ones.
These growth factors and cytokines help stimulate the repair and regeneration of tissues like tendons, ligaments and cartilage. They also encourage the formation of new bone and collagen in the damaged area.
While the exact mechanism of PRP is not entirely clear, laboratory studies show that it works to speed up the healing process by stimulating cellular growth and vascular ingrowth. PRP has been shown to be effective in improving the results of surgery to treat rotator cuff tears and other shoulder problems; knee ligament injuries such as ACL, MCL and LCL tears; and elbow injuries including tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and deQuervain’s tenosynovitis.
Currently, the most promising application of PRP is in the treatment of meniscus injuries following surgery to repair torn knee ligaments. PRP has been shown to promote the regrowth of native tenocytes and collagen for rapid, durable healing. The physician can mix PRP with a bone graft, spray it on a soft tissue surface or apply it as a biologic membrane to a graft. PRP can also be injected directly into an injury site. PRP must be clotted at the time of injection in order to be effective.
How is PRP Injected?
During the PRP procedure, doctors draw from one to a few tubes of your own blood. The blood is then run (“spun down”) in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other parts of your blood. The concentrated platelets are then mixed with a blood plasma liquid base and injected into the injured tissue with a needle. Doctors often use ultrasound imaging to guide the injections to increase accuracy and decrease potential pain. The entire treatment takes around 30 minutes depending on the area being treated.
Unlike many other treatments, PRP is minimally invasive and harnesses the body’s natural healing mechanisms. As a result, it carries a low risk of infection and side effects. Some people experience pain and swelling at the injection site, but this usually goes away within a few days.
Injections of PRP can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including muscle strains, tendon injuries, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. In some cases, PRP can even be used to replace surgery for certain conditions.
Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own body, there is no risk of rejection or disease transmission. In addition, because PRP is an all-natural therapy, it is less likely to cause complications than more invasive treatments like cortisone injections.
PRP is an effective treatment for hair loss because it contains a high concentration of platelets, which release growth factors (GFs) and other cytokines that promote cell repair and regeneration. These GFs can also stimulate hair growth and help slow the progression of hair loss.
PRP is an ideal treatment for hair loss because it can be injected directly into the scalp where the follicles are located. By increasing the blood flow to the follicles, PRP can improve the health of the follicles and increase their thickness. In addition, PRP can stimulate the production of neocollagen in the follicles, which is essential for healthy, strong hair. When combined with thread lifts, PRP can also act as a bioscaffold for the GFs in the follicles and promote new hair growth. The combination of these therapies can also help to reduce hair loss by prolonging the anagen phase of hair growth.
What are the Side Effects of PRP Injections?
Although more research is needed, early studies suggest that PRP may speed up healing in some tissue injuries and help treat other conditions. One example is tendon injuries, including tennis elbow and Achilles tendonitis at the ankle and jumper’s knee (pain in the patellar tendon in the front of the knee). Injecting PRP into the affected area can increase the number of stem cells that repair the injury.
Doctors have also used PRP to treat chronic joint pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis. The injections may reduce pain by restoring levels of hyaluronic acid in the knee, which normally helps cushion joints and keep them moving smoothly.
A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and put in a centrifuge that spins at a high rate. The spinning separates the blood into its various components, including platelets. The platelets are isolated and concentrated to about 2 to 8 times their normal quantity. The platelets are mixed with a blood plasma liquid base and injected into the injured area, sometimes under ultrasound guidance (see image below).
As with any procedure that involves drawing blood, there is a small risk of infection at the injection site. It’s important to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you take, because they can interfere with the effectiveness of PRP treatments. For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen, can inhibit platelet function and diminish the treatment’s effects.
Depending on the location of the injection, a topical numbing lidocaine solution may be applied before the procedure to reduce discomfort. The injection site will appear bruised and discolored temporarily.
There is a slight chance that your body could reject the platelets and have an allergic reaction to the injection, although this is rare because the platelets come from your own blood. In addition, the injection can cause a temporary increase in joint pain. The bruising and discoloration will fade with time, but the pain may not disappear completely. Some patients do not respond to PRP injections and will require other forms of treatment, including surgery.
What are the Benefits of PRP Injections?
Platelet-rich plasma contains an abundance of natural healing growth factors that help reduce pain and accelerate recovery from injuries. When injected into the injured area, these growth factors stimulate tissue regrowth, decrease inflammation, and increase blood flow to the area. This speeds up the recovery process and helps heal damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, and other soft tissues.
PRP is a very safe treatment. Because it comes from a patient’s own body, there is no risk of rejection or disease transmission. However, like all injections, there is a small risk of infection and bruising at the site. PRP is a great option for those who want to avoid surgery, but it is also effective in conjunction with surgery or other treatments such as cortisone injections.
Depending on the type of injury or condition, your doctor may recommend a series of PRP injections to help speed up healing and improve results. After a discussion of your specific needs and goals, we will create a customized treatment plan. This plan will include the number of PRP injections and how often you should receive them.
The first step in the PRP procedure is to draw a small amount of blood. The healthcare staff then runs the blood through a centrifuge, which spins very fast to separate the different components of your blood. Once the blood is separated, the healthcare staff will inject the concentrated platelets into the injured area.
In some cases, doctors will use ultrasound to guide the needle into the injured area. The ultrasound helps the doctor to place the injection in exactly the right spot. The entire process takes about 45 to 90 minutes. You may experience some soreness or aching after the procedure, but over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses can help alleviate this discomfort.
PRP is an excellent alternative to surgery and can help heal your hip injury faster. PRP can also be used to treat chronic knee and shoulder problems, such as arthritis. If you are interested in learning more about how this minimally invasive treatment can help relieve your hip pain, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you understand your insurance coverage if needed.