In Office Procedures

What if you could heal faster? Get back to the game stronger? What if you had an injection, made of your own tissue, that accelerated and improved your return to sport after an injury? Well maybe you can.

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is a substance derived from your own blood that contains platelets. These cells in your body are responsible for the early onset of healing and also contain the molecules (cytokines) that stimulate new blood vessel growth and increase healing potential. It has been used safely on numerous professional and recreational athletes with great results.

PRP can be used in a variety of places. Knee ligaments, elbow tendons, and achilles pain all have enjoyed success using PRP to strengthen and heal the condition. For example, in a recent study of patients with insertional achilles tendonitis, 70% received relief with just one or two injections

The process starts by drawing peripheral blood in the office. This sample is then spun in a centrifuge and filtered to isolate and purify the PRP. It’s then injected into the affected area to augment and improve the inflammatory process. Patients can expect to experience some local irritation or a little discomfort for a few days. This usually resolves as the initiated healing progresses to the next stages.

PRP can be offered to just about anyone. The contraindications are: a fever in the past 2 weeks, chronic steroid use, and low platelet levels. Injections are usually administered every 2 months as needed. Most conditions usually require only 1-2 injections, but every patient and problem respond differently. Most insurances don’t cover PRP injections but we are willing to work with patients on payment and cost. The total time from start to finish is usually under one hour.

All of our physicians are knowledgeable about PRP. In addition, all of our physicians offer it to our patients if it is an appropriate option for them. If you wish to discuss this treatment, have further questions, or have a problem that you need evaluated please schedule an appointment and we would be glad to see you. Getting you back into the game, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine of Norman.