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Platelet-rich plasma is a cutting-edge regenerative therapy that can treat several conditions. It works by extracting and concentrating platelets and growth factors from your blood and injecting them into damaged tissues.
This stimulates cell growth and encourages new, healthy tissues to develop around and throughout the damaged areas. PRP treatment leaves stronger tissues where there were once weakened and damaged ones.
This process works best on areas that receive limited blood flow naturally, like ligaments, tendons, and joints. Platelet-rich plasma stimulates cell repair and regeneration processes to help the treated area heal.
Our providers at Advanced Relief Institute have extensive experience in interventional pain medicine. They have used PRP therapies and other regenerative therapies to treat many chronic conditions.
If you are looking for experts in regenerative medicine and PRP, the Advanced Relief Institute is the place to visit.
If you are struggling with chronic pain in your joints or other areas, platelet-rich plasma therapy may be able to help. PRP therapy has shown impressive results in treating several chronic conditions.
Platelet-rich plasma injections can also be used to speed healing after a surgical procedure. Similar therapies include stem cell treatments, which may complement your PRP therapy depending on your needs.
If PRP sounds like it may help you, contact us today to schedule your consultation with one of our expert pain management doctors.
PRP treatment is an outpatient procedure that consists of three steps. Most platelet-rich plasma treatments are completed in under an hour.
The first step of PRP therapy is drawing a blood sample. This is performed the same way it would be for any blood test or donation. A needle is inserted into a vein in your arm, and a small sample is extracted. Most patients experience a slight pinch and nothing more.
Once the blood sample is taken, it is spun through a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors from the red blood cells. The platelets and plasma are then concentrated into a regenerative serum. The excess blood cells are discarded.
Once the PRP serum is ready, it will be injected into the targeted location. Your doctor will use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area before the injections take place.
The PRP injections will stimulate a regenerative immune response, helping your body replace damaged tissues with healthy ones.
Most patients require minimal recovery time after platelet-rich plasma injections. You may experience minor swelling and skin redness for one to five days after your injections.
During the first three days of your PRP recovery, you should avoid subjecting the treated area to significant temperature changes. This means avoiding the use of ice, heat packs, hot baths, saunas, and other temperature-varying activities.
If you underwent PRP to treat an injured joint, your doctor might instruct you to immobilize or reduce pressure on the joint for one to three days. This provides time for the joint to heal without placing extra strain on the growing cells.
While not always required, our doctors typically recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise for a week after PRP injections. This lets your cells repair themselves without additional stress.
It may take several weeks before your PRP therapy reduces your pain and the results become apparent. Most patients notice their final results within two to three months.
Because this is a regenerative process, the full treatment results take up to 90 days. Patients should not expect results right away since repairing the target area is involved, which takes time.
The patient may need one to two repeat treatments depending on the progression of the treatment.
The longevity of results will vary from person to person. It is hard to predict outcomes, as different patients have different issues that determine how long the treatment will last.
For example, a tennis player who chooses to play tennis three times a week will most likely need repeat injections in the future if they injure themselves. Generally, people do not need repeat treatments if they do not reinjure themselves in the area.
The cost of PRP therapy will vary depending on the number of injections you need to treat your condition. The best way to get an accurate PRP treatment price is to consult with one of our doctors at the Advanced Relief Institute.
Some patients may require injections every four to six weeks during their initial treatment to achieve optimal results. Others may only need a single injection.
Certain patients may benefit from periodic PRP injections to manage chronic conditions like arthritis. Patients who would benefit from repeated PRP injections should ask their doctor if annual injections (the most common choice) are sufficient for their needs.
Many patients choose to do PRP in different areas of the body to prevent aging of the structure to stay ahead of the aging process.
You should not undergo PRP therapy if you have any active infections or blood diseases. If you have used nicotine or alcohol within the past three days, you should delay your treatment. If you take blood-thinning medications (including over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements), be sure to inform your doctor before undergoing treatment. Those medications may change how your platelet-rich plasma treatment is performed.
Most patients do not report pain during the injection process. Your doctor may use a local anesthetic to numb your skin. PRP injections into joints include local anesthesia, and discomfort is typically minimal.
Platelet-rich plasma works well in combination with stem cell therapy. Both treatments help regenerate cells and restore damaged tissues, but they do so in different ways. Therefore, rather than choosing between PRP and SCT, patients may consider combining treatments.
Platelet-rich plasma injections can replace surgical intervention for some conditions. However, severe injuries and certain chronic conditions require surgery. Consult with your doctor to determine which treatment option is best for your concerns.
At the Advanced Relief Institute, PRP therapy usually takes about an hour from the moment you walk in the door to when you leave. Depending on the nature of your concern, platelet-rich plasma may be performed during an extended lunch break.
Most regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma therapy, is not currently covered by the majority of health insurance plans.
If you are interested in regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma, contact the Advanced Relief Institute today to schedule your consultation.
Our experts will be happy to answer your questions and explain more about how regenerative therapies can help you.
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