Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins help to decrease unwanted inflammation while also stimulating the healing process. The result is decreased pain and improved function. If you are planning a treatment appointment please complete this form before your visit.

Intra-articular PRP therapy is an effective, natural treatment option for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease where joint inflammation leads to destruction. PRP helps to decrease the level of inflammatory proteins in the joint, resulting in improved pain levels. PRP also increases joint lubrication proteins, which leads to improved function. These injections are performed by one of our skilled physician’s assistants using fluoroscopic guidance.

Repetitive movements can strain tendons and cause pain, swelling, and difficulty in movement.  PRP therapy assists tendon repair and heals the tissue instead of masking the pain.

PRP Therapy is an innovative, all-natural treatment option for joint pain and tendon injuries. It’s a safe, non-surgical treatment that utilizes proteins and growth factors within platelets and plasma from your own blood.

When treating ailments such as osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, PRP has demonstrated a superior clinical benefit in numerous studies when compared to more traditional therapies. Platelet rich plasma therapy has been studied for decades. Unfortunately, it has not been utilized as often due to lack of insurance reimbursement. Our goal is to provide a cost effective way to offer this therapy to the community.

During your appointment, one of our specialists will draw your blood into collection tubes. These tubes will go through a series of steps in order to isolate your platelets in a small volume of plasma. This process takes about 25 minutes. If you are having an intra-articular injection and this is your first appointment, we will have you fill out a survey specific to your joint. Once the plasma is ready, it will be injected using either fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance.

You will be asked to discontinue the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), Advil, Aleve or high-dose aspirin for 5 days prior to your treatment. NSAIDs may impair platelet function, which in turn may decrease the effectiveness of your PRP. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking as this can cause increased inflammation and limit the success of your therapy. Prior to your procedure, please click on the link below:

PRP-Frequently-Asked-Questions (PDF)

You will likely experience some discomfort and/or mild swelling after the procedure. Tendon therapies will generally cause more soreness than intra-articular injections. We recommend taking a pain reliever such as Tylenol as needed and using an ice pack if there is any swelling. Please do not take any NSAIDs until after you have finished your series of injections, at which point you may proceed to use NSAIDs as needed. You may return to daily activities and work at your own discretion. If your pain returns over time, you may benefit from follow-up PRP injections. Please contact us so that we may help provide additional guidance.

PRP Aftercare Form (Intra-Articular)

PRP Aftercare Form (Intra-Tendinous)