Platelet Rich Plasma
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an innovative regenerative treatment that uses your body's own healing properties to treat sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. PRP is derived from a small sample of your own blood, which is processed through centrifugation to concentrate the platelets—the cells responsible for healing and tissue repair.
How does PRP work?
Platelets contain powerful growth factors and proteins that play a crucial role in your body's natural healing process. When concentrated and injected into injured tissue, PRP delivers a high dose of these healing factors directly to the area that needs it most. This stimulates tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing in tendons, ligaments, and joints that may have limited healing capacity on their own.
What conditions can PRP treat?
PRP therapy has been used to treat a variety of sports-related and musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to:
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Knee, hip, and shoulder osteoarthritis
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
Rotator cuff injuries and tendinopathy
Gluteus medius/minimus tendinopathy
Partial muscle and tendon tears
What does the evidence show?
Research continues to evolve in the field of regenerative medicine. Studies have shown promising results for PRP in treating certain conditions, particularly lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and knee osteoarthritis, where PRP has demonstrated superiority over traditional treatments like corticosteroid injections. PRP has also shown benefits in reducing pain and improving function in various tendon and osteoarthritic conditions. The treatment has an excellent safety profile with minimal risk of adverse effects since it uses your own blood.
The PRP procedure
The PRP treatment process is straightforward and can be performed in our office:
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A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm
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The blood is placed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets
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The concentrated PRP is injected into the injured area using ultrasound guidance for precision
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The entire process typically takes less than an hour
Insurance coverage
PRP therapy is considered a regenerative medicine treatment and is typically not covered by insurance companies. Our practice offers transparent pricing and can discuss payment options during your consultation. While PRP represents an out-of-pocket investment, many patients find value in this treatment option when traditional therapies have not provided adequate relief.
Is PRP right for you?
During your consultation, we will thoroughly evaluate your condition, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether PRP therapy is an appropriate option for your specific situation. We believe in evidence-based medicine and will provide honest recommendations about whether PRP is likely to benefit your particular condition.
