Platelet-Rich Plasma

Arthritis Center is pleased to offer Platelet-Rich Plasma treatments to our patients. Known as “PRP” for short, this therapy has been utilized for many years to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. The treatment is done here in our office.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma comes from your own blood. Platelets are important in blood clotting and healing, as they contain factors that contribute to the healing process after an injury. As interest grows in the field of Regenerative Medicine, clinicians are exploring ways to use the body’s own cells to assist in healing damaged or diseased tissue. Platelets contain growth factors that assist in increasing cell recruitment and proliferation necessary for tissue repair and healing.

What kind of conditions can be treated with PRP?
PRP has been used to treat various conditions, such as chronic tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Achilles tendon injuries, rotator cuff tears, and knee osteoarthritis, to name a few.

How is PRP given?
We draw a sample of blood and process it in a centrifuge, which, by spinning the blood at high speed, results in the separation of the blood cells (white cells, red cells, platelets) from the serum. The cells are spun again to further separate the platelets, which are now in a concentrated form that can be sterilely injected back into your body. Using your own platelets eliminates the risk of rejection. The overall procedure takes about 45 minutes after which we recommend you rest for the remainder of the day. You can generally resume light activities the next day. Additional modalities, such as physical therapy, may be recommended on a case by case basis.