A regenerative treatment that concentrates growth factors from the patient’s own blood and delivers them to damaged tissues to stimulate natural healing and repair.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves drawing a small volume of the patient’s blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and injecting the resulting platelet-rich preparation into the target tissue. Platelets contain over 800 bioactive proteins including growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines that orchestrate tissue repair.
Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction or immune rejection. The concentrated growth factors promote cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling at the injection site.
A blood sample (typically 15-60 mL) is drawn from the patient and placed in a specialized centrifuge that separates the blood into layers. The platelet-rich layer is extracted, producing a concentrate with 3-8 times the normal platelet concentration.
Key growth factors in PRP include PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), TGF-beta (transforming growth factor beta), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor). When injected into damaged tissue, these factors recruit stem cells, stimulate fibroblast activity, and accelerate the natural healing cascade.
PRP therapy effectiveness depends on the specific condition, its severity, and patient factors. Our physicians will assess whether PRP is appropriate for your situation.
A PRP session takes approximately 45-60 minutes in total. After a blood draw, the sample is processed in the centrifuge for 10-15 minutes. The PRP is then injected under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for precise placement. Some discomfort at the injection site is normal. Patients may experience mild soreness for 2-3 days following treatment. One to three sessions are typical, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
PRP therapy has been studied extensively in orthopedic and sports medicine. Meta-analyses published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrate efficacy for knee osteoarthritis and tendinopathy. As an autologous preparation, PRP has an excellent safety profile with minimal risk of adverse reactions. The primary risk is injection site discomfort and temporary inflammation, which is part of the intended therapeutic response.
Contact our medical team to discuss whether PRP may accelerate your recovery.
