Also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy, this treatment uses the body’s healing properties to treat injuries and conditions. A healthcare provider may recommend these injections for injuries that are slow to heal, such as tendon or ligament damage. Here is more information about PRP injections:
Consultation and Evaluation
During your first visit, a doctor should take time to understand your condition and determine if PRP injections are appropriate. This type of treatment helps with a variety of conditions, including tendon injuries, arthritis, and joint pain. A provider performs a physical examination of the affected area to assess the extent of the injury or condition. During your consultation, your doctor may ask about the location, duration, and severity of your discomfort and other symptoms. To get a better look at the tissue damage or joint condition, a trained medical professional might request X-rays or MRIs.
Blood Collection and Centrifugation
To start the injections, a healthcare professional draws blood. The amount of blood drawn will depend on the size of the area being treated. If the area is large, such as a knee joint, it may require more blood than a smaller treatment area, like the scalp, for hair restoration. After drawing the blood, it is placed in a centrifuge which spins the blood at high speeds and causes it to separate into different layers. This process helps concentrate platelets, which can help repair tissues and lessen inflammation. Once the spinning process is complete, a doctor places the platelets in a syringe to inject into the treatment area.
Injection Site Preparation
To remove any bacteria or contaminants on the skin, a doctor should clean the injection site with an antiseptic solution. For sensitive areas like joints, tendons, or the scalp, a local anesthetic is often applied to numb the area. This could involve using a topical cream or injecting anesthetic directly into the skin around the treatment site. By numbing the area, it helps minimize discomfort during platelet-rich plasma injection. After the skin is disinfected and numbed, the doctor may mark the precise spot for injection.
PRP Injection
A qualified doctor might use ultrasound guidance to inject the PRP to the exact location, whether it’s a joint or tendon. By using this technology, the healthcare professional can see a real-time image of the treatment region and precisely place the needle. If you have a minor tendon injury, a provider may provide fewer injections, while more severe cases, like advanced arthritis in the knee, could require multiple injections. The aim is to allow the platelet-rich plasma to absorb into the areas that require healing. Patients may have a follow-up visit with their healthcare provider to assess if the treatment was effective.
Book an Appointment for PRP Injections
Whether you want to manage pain and inflammation from different health issues, PRP injections can manage these symptoms. Your doctor can assess your health and explain to you the entire process to determine if it meets your needs. Book an appointment for PRP therapy today to start your healing process.
