Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) for Orthopedic conditions

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy? This is a treatment where the healing cells in your own blood are concentrated, so you have a greater quantity of the cells that normally repair and regenerate damaged areas in your body. By taking this concentrated amount of your own platelet cells, and injecting them into damaged joints, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue, increased healing is performed by your body.

What conditions can Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treat? Some of the many conditions include:

  • Shoulder pain due to Rotator Cuff tendonitis, Arthritis of the shoulder, and Labral tears

  • Elbow pain due to tendonitis (tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow)

  • Hand pain due to tendonitis or arthritis

  • Neck and Low back pain

  • Knee pain due to ligament injury, tendon injury or arthritis

  • Muscle strain and Trigger points

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How do you make the Platelet Rich Plasma? On the day of your appointment at our clinic, a small amount of your blood will be collected using sterile techniques (in the same way it is collected when you go for a routine blood test). In your presence, your  blood will be put into a special tube, and then placed in our FDA approved centrifuge (machine that spins blood very fast). Depending on the area we are treating, the spinning process is done in 1-6 minutes. After we have finished spinning your blood, we will take the clear part of your blood (plasma), which has a concentration of platelets (healing cells), at least 6 x’s more than the body will normally have following an injury. This Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is then injected under sterile technique into the area where you have an injury, arthritis, or pain.

Is the PRP injection painful: Each person feels pain differently, that being said, this practice uses one of the few FDA approved PRP devices that produces the highest quality of PRP, and techniques which reduce the pain that is felt during the injection.

When will I start to see results after my PRP injection: Within 4-6 weeks you should have significant healing. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need more than one treatment of PRP.

What are the side effects of a PRP injection? Eliminating any side effects brought about by the injection process itself, the specific side effects you may experience after your PRP injection include: Achiness or soreness to the injection site- which initially increases and can last several days, but gradually decreases with time, usually within 48-72 hours. Allergy to any of the substances utilized during the procedure, such as the anesthetic, antiseptic, or dressing (you will be asked about your allergy history before the procedure). Local Bruising.

 

What are the Contraindications to having Platelet Rich Plasma injections?

  • An impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases, HIV, HTV, or immunosuppressive medications

  • Locally occurring skin cancer, existing or uncured. This includes SCC, BCC and melanoma, systemic cancer, and chemotherapy.

  • The presence of a communicable diseases, blood disorders and platelet abnormalities.

  • You cannot have PRP treatment if you are pregnant.

 What preparation do I need before receiving a PRP injection (Orthopedic Pre-injection instructions)?

  • Discontinue all anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs like Advil, Naproxen, Aleve, Celebrex, and Arnica, at least 7 days before your procedure

  • Discontinue any blood thinning herbs, supplements, or vitamins 7 days before your procedure.

  • If you use anti-coagulants such as Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, Pradaxa, please get approval from your prescribing doctor, on whether you can stop your anti-coagulant 3-4 days prior to your procedure.

  • Discontinue oral steroid use 7 days before your procedure.

  • Discontinue steroid injections at least 1 month before your procedure.

  • If you are taking broad beta-blockers such as Inderal (Propranolol), please inform your provider as this medication may need to be changed to a select beta-blocker in advance of the treatment.

  • Please eat before you come to the clinic for your injection, and drink at least two cups of water.

  • Avoid high fat/creamy foods and drinks 24 hours before, and on the day of your procedure.

Please note that oral steroids being used on a chronic basis, cannot be abruptly stopped. Please discuss a taper off your oral steroids with your prescribing health care provider, so they can give approval and taper instructions.

What preparation do I need after receiving a PRP injection (Orthopedic Pre-injection instructions)?

  • Do not apply ice over the injected area for at least 7 days.

  • You can resume the use of Blood-thinning herbs, supplements, and vitamins 3 days after your procedure.

  • You can resume the use of oral steroids 2 weeks after your procedure.

  • You can apply a heating pad over the injected area 24 hours after your injection.

  • Do not use any anti-inflammatory products such as NSAIDs or steroids for 6 weeks after your injection.

  • You can use Tylenol for pain control, and or THC (within the previously recommended guidelines).

  • If possible avoid CBD for at least 2 weeks following your injection.

  • Avoid deep tissue massage over the injected area for at least 2 weeks.

  • Avoid hot tubs and saunas for at least 7 days after your injection.

  • You can have light massage over the injected area 7 days after your injection.