Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections accelerate healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles. They are a quick, one hour in-office procedure.

A small amount of blood is drawn, just like a routine blood test. It’s then placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma from other blood components. Contact Prp Injections San Diego now!

PRP injections are a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that uses a concentrated serum made from your own blood to help heal injured tissue. Platelet-rich plasma contains many of the cells that make your blood clot, but it also contains growth factors that encourage the formation of new tissues and repair damaged tissue. PRP is created by drawing a sample of your blood and then spinning it in a machine to separate out the platelets, which have 5 to 10 times more growth factors than normal. Once the plasma is isolated, it’s injected into your injury or pain site to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.

PRP can be used to treat a variety of conditions, but it’s especially useful for chronic musculoskeletal injuries that affect ligaments, tendons and muscles. These types of injuries can be very difficult to treat, but adding PRP therapy to a treatment regimen can accelerate the recovery process and enable patients to return to work or athletic activities sooner.

Before a PRP injection, you’ll need to stop taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen (unless cleared to do so by your doctor). You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol before the procedure. The doctor will use ultrasound or another imaging technique to locate the affected area before injecting the PRP.

After a few weeks, you should begin to notice improvement. While most patients see substantial results after a few treatments, the frequency and duration of treatment will vary from patient to patient. Some people require multiple injections to see full benefits, while others benefit from just three weekly injections over a few months. It’s important to remember that PRP injections aren’t a cure-all and must be combined with a comprehensive physical therapy program to maximize the benefits and achieve optimal outcomes.

How is PRP Injured Tissue Healed?

The concentrated platelets in PRP contain a high volume of naturally occurring bioactive proteins that initiate and accelerate tissue repair, bone and tendon regeneration, and blood vessel formation. These growth factors stimulate the clotting process to facilitate wound healing. They also release cytokines that help suppress the activity of inflammatory cells. The exact mechanisms of action are unknown but appear to be complex and variable.

Studies have shown that a PRP injection increases the number of reparative cells, accelerates and enhances the synthesis of collagen and other proteins involved in wound healing. The growth factors in PRP have been shown to promote vascularization of the injured tissue, stimulate cellular differentiation and proliferation, induce angiogenesis, accelerate granulation tissue formation, increase tenocyte maturation, enhance the expression of fibronectin and vitronectin, and modulate the inflammatory response.

In addition to the promotion of neovascularization, PRP has been shown to significantly reduce the production of inflammatory mediators like IL-17A and IL-1b. This is likely due to increased angiogenesis and the anti-inflammatory effects of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFRa).

A recent study showed that PRP accelerates the healing of a partial thickness skin wound by improving tissue perfusion, uplifting granulation tissue formation, stimulating collagen formation, and enhancing epithelization. Additionally, PRP increases the expression of a protein called VEGF, which promotes angiogenesis and vascularization.

The procedure for PRP injections involves drawing a small amount of your own blood and then placing it in a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from the rest of your blood’s components. This allows the physician to prepare a serum with 5-10 times more platelets than would exist in normal blood. This platelet-rich serum is then injected into the injured area using ultrasound guidance.

What is the Risk of PRP Injections?

PRP contains a high concentration of platelets and growth factors, which are natural healing substances found in the body. These help your blood vessels and tissues heal. It also promotes new tissue and bone formation.

This treatment can help treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries such as tendonitis and ligaments. Research shows that it can also help with osteoarthritis by reducing pain, improving joint function and repairing cartilage damage.

Injections are usually done on an outpatient basis. The doctor will numb the area before injecting your plasma. In some cases, the doctor may use ultrasound technology to guide the injections into the precise area that needs repair. Injections typically take about 30 minutes. Patients usually experience some mild pain or soreness at the injection site. This pain should subside within a few days. If the pain persists, you should call your physician.

Unlike cortisone injections, which can weaken healthy cartilage and cause stomach or heart problems, PRP treatments can strengthen your joint’s structure and restore its mobility. PRP injections can also reduce inflammation, which is another important factor in the healing process.

PRP injections are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve their overall health and prevent future injuries or conditions. The procedure is very safe and has few side effects. It is also more effective than other treatments such as steroid injections, physical therapy or surgery. However, PRP injections are expensive and most insurance plans do not cover this treatment. Penn is currently collecting data in hopes of demonstrating the benefits of this groundbreaking treatment and advocating for coverage in the future. Contact us to learn more about our PRP injections or schedule a consultation.

How Long Does It Take for PRP Injections to Work?

It takes time for the healing proteins in platelet-rich plasma to start doing their repair work. Because of this, it can take a few weeks before you notice any improvement in your condition. If you are treating a chronic disease like arthritis, it may take months before you see the full benefits of treatment.

In order to get the most out of your PRP treatment, you must follow a specific rehabilitation plan. This will help you recover faster and improve your function. This includes initial rest from exercise, the avoidance of NSAIDs, and the initiation of a specialized physical therapy program based on your doctor’s assessment.

Before the procedure begins, we will ask you to stop taking any medications that thin your blood, including ibuprofen and aspirin, and some supplements like omega-3 fatty acids. We also need to know if you have any medical conditions that may make the procedure dangerous, such as an active infection or bleeding disorder.

Once the platelet-rich plasma is ready, we will inject it into your injured tissue. This is typically done using ultrasound imaging to help guide the needle and reduce discomfort. Depending on the severity of your injury or disease, you may require multiple injections. We will usually space these treatments out by two to three weeks.

You will begin seeing improvements in your condition about a month after your first injection. The results of the treatment will last for several months, but you can continue to receive PRP injections to extend their effect. In fact, some patients find that PRP is the best treatment option for long-term relief from their pain or injury. To learn more about how PRP can help you, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.

What Can I Expect from PRP Injections?

Depending on the area being treated, you may feel tenderness or pain at the injection site for three to seven days. Movement and comfort improve gradually over two weeks as your body naturally heals the damaged tissue. Our physician can provide recommendations for specific exercises or movements that you can do to help speed the healing process.

PRP is derived from your own blood, so it’s free of viruses and bacteria that could transmit disease. This makes it a highly effective treatment for many injuries and health conditions.

Our doctor will draw a sample of blood under sterile conditions, usually from the arm or hand. The amount they draw will vary based on how much of your own platelets they want to use for the injection. They then put the blood in a machine that spins at high speeds to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood. This creates your PRP, which is then injected into the damaged tissue.

Once injected, the platelets release growth factors and other beneficial substances to encourage your own cells to regenerate new tissue and promote healing. Your physician will often apply an ultrasound machine to guide the needle and ensure accurate placement of your PRP. They may also numb the injection site with lidocaine or another local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort.

After PRP treatments for musculoskeletal injuries, you can return to your normal activities. We may recommend limiting heavy activity and increasing physical therapy to allow the injured tissue to recover. In addition, we may recommend a bracing regimen to support the injured joint or tissue. We also encourage patients to follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of water, which can boost your immunity and increase circulation to fuel the healing process.