WHAT IS PRP?
Your blood is made up of many components, one component which is essential to healing are the platelets. Within the platelets are growth factors, which can initiate tissue repair, bone regeneration, development of new blood vessels, and stimulation of the healing process. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrated solution of your own body’s platelets. By concentrating your platelets we are able to increase the amount of growth factor in the solution to optimize healing.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT PLATELETS?
Your blood platelets contain growth and healing factors and play a crucial role in wound and injury healing. When concentrated through a simple centrifuge technique, we can isolate the plasma, which contains a large number of platelets, and thus forms a solution “rich in platelets”, or healing factors.
HOW DO WE GET THE PRP AND HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
A simple blood draw is performed. The vial of blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which separates the plasma from the red blood cells. We are then able to extract the plasma, which is now ready to be injected. The PRP solution is then injected into your painful area.
WHY USE PRP?
WHY CAN’T MY BODY HEAL ON ITS OWN?
DOES PRP REALLY WORK?
Your blood platelets contain growth and healing factors and play a crucial role in wound and injury healing. When concentrated through a simple centrifuge technique, we can isolate the plasma, which contains a large number of platelets, and thus forms a solution “rich in platelets”, or healing factors.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE YOUR PRP THERAPY?
PRP Therapy is very safe because cells from the patient’s own blood are used, which means there are no preservatives and no chance of the body rejecting the cells. The primary risks and discomforts are related to the blood draw where there is a slight pinch to insert the needle for collection and there is a potential for bruising at the site.
For optimal results and to decrease the chance of bruising at the draw site, please avoid all blood thinning medications and herbal supplements for one week prior to your appointment. Avoid taking Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as such as Ibuprofen, Motrin and Aleve. In addition, very high doses of some Vitamins and supplements can thin your blood and increase the chance of bruising. Please notify our office if you are taking Coumadin, Plavix, or any other blood thinners for a medical condition. Prednisone or any other oral or inhaled corticosteroid medications must be discontinued 3 weeks prior.
