Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Harnessing your body’s own healing properties

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What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements — plasma and platelets. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and platelets are a type of blood cell that promotes healing. Platelets contain growth factors that trigger cell reproduction and tissue regeneration.

PRP therapy is created by drawing a patient’s blood (like during a common blood test) and placing the sample in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins rapidly, causing the blood to separate into its different components and allows for the collection of platelet-rich plasma. This concentrated plasma solution is put into a syringe for injection into the affected area. 

Common Uses for PRP Injections

Chronic conditions like tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and jumper’s knee can see improved healing and reduced pain and inflammation through PRP injections. For athletes and sports enthusiasts, this treatment offers a much quicker recovery compared to surgical options, allowing you to return to your activities sooner. This is particularly beneficial in the field of orthopedic sports medicine, where swift recovery is essential for optimal performance.

PRP can help treat and provide pain relief from disc herniations, complementing modalities like spine-specialized physical therapy to relieve discomfort and enhance rehabilitation.

This treatment can help relieve the pain, stiffness, and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.

If surgery is required, PRP can also be used during the procedure to help promote healing in the affected area. For example, if a patient needs surgery to repair a torn tendon, platelet-rich plasma can be injected into the affected area to help speed recovery.

It is also beneficial for treating areas of the body that typically have longer recovery times or pose a higher risk with surgical intervention. 

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Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection

Other Medical Conditions Treated with PRP Therapy

Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

As a non-operative method that stimulates regeneration and provides pain relief, PRP can help patients of all ages get back to life in a matter of weeks. By contrast, some surgeries may require months to achieve a full recovery. And alternative treatments like corticosteroids or other medications may have limitations regarding how frequently they can be administered. Regenerative medicine can help your body to rev up its healing engine and avoid some of the side effects typically seen with other medications.

Because PRP is a regenerative medicine modality, it doesn’t just mask the pain or symptoms a patient is experiencing. Instead, it helps heal the root cause of the problem — and it does so naturally.

  • Shorter recovery time compared to surgery
  • No anesthesia required
  • Natural healing procedure
  • Increased functionality and range of motion
  • Effective solution to avoid or delay surgery
  • Improved pain relief and decreased inflammation
  • Outpatient procedure in the comfort of our state-of-the-art facility
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection
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Living Life Again

Prp injection,platelet rich plasma,Prp therapy,What is prp injection,platelet rich plasma injection

At VSI, we celebrate every patient’s unique journey as a series of victories, regardless of how big or small. Our logo and brand were crafted for you, our incredible patients. Your progress towards your goals deserves the spotlight, reflecting our commitment to individualized treatment and care. Your Victories are what make VSI who we are! #MyVictoryStory

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Am I a Candidate for Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Recovering from an injury can often feel like a long, winding road back to health. However, for athletes and weekend warriors diagnosed with an injury or condition, the possibility of choosing surgery could also mean extensive recovery time.

Patience and persistence are two crucial factors in creating the best possible recovery outcomes. But there is also another element that can offer a significant advantage without drastic or problematic side effects. 

PRP injections are a popular, drug-free treatment that helps the body accelerate its natural healing process. It can treat various conditions, including sports injuries, wounds, back injuries, and osteoarthritis. It is even used cosmetically to treat hair loss and facial procedures. It can be injected into injured or damaged joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments and doesn’t require anesthesia, making it a quick and effective treatment option. 

At VSI (Virginia Spine Institute), we regularly use platelet rich plasma injections as a non-operative, regenerative medicine approach because it offers patients low risk and minimal downtime while providing excellent results. For more information, speak with our spine specialists.

Learn more and find out if you’re a candidate for PRP

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Frequently Asked Questions on Platelet Rich-Plasma (PRP)

Creation of PRP is simple, painless, and conveniently done in our office. The entire process of drawing blood to solution preparation only takes approximately 25-30 minutes. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, just like a routine blood test. Once the blood is drawn it is then placed into a centrifuge. The centrifuge is a machine that spins the blood at high speeds in order to separate the blood into red blood cells and concentrated platelets. Once the blood is separated the red blood cells are discarded, and we are left with concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) which is ready to be used in the treatment process.

The injection process does not take more than an hour, which includes the creation of the PRP as explained above. The platelet-rich portion is collected and injected back into the injured tendon, ligament, muscle, joint, or disc that has been determined to be a source of pain and is not-healing appropriately. When structures around the spine are being injected, x-ray (i.e. fluoroscopy) guidance is used to assure safe and proper placement of PRP at the affected site. In the extremities, ultrasound-guidance is commonly used to inject PRP into the appropriate tendon, ligament or joint that is being targeted. Injections are performed under image guidance to assure precise placement of PRP. The number of injections varies based on each patient’s individualized condition but typically range anywhere from two to six injections done over time. Patients typically experience significant reduction in pain after the first or second injection.

Generally speaking PRP injections are not painful; however, the discomfort level depends on the part of the body being treated. Injections into the joint are of minimal discomfort. There is sometimes a small amount of pain after the procedure; however, this does not last more than a few days and can be minimized with over the counter Tylenol. It is critical to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve, Motrin, Celebrex, Naprosyn, and Mobic. These drugs may impede the healing process.

PRP is considered a low-risk procedure. Because platelet-rich plasma is made of your cells and plasma, complications or an allergic reaction are less likely compared to other therapies. In addition, since it is derived from your blood, it’s not classified as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Potential risks or side effects of a PRP injection can include bleeding, tissue damage, infection, and nerve injury. In addition, it’s critical to avoid blood-thinning or anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, etc.) with this treatment as they can impede the healing process. Be sure to consult with your health care provider for specific guidance.