Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Overview

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical procedure that promotes the growth of cells and the regeneration of tissues. Patients have a small sample of their blood taken. The sample is put into a centrifuge and spun around at high speed while patients wait. When the sample is done spinning it has separated into its constituent parts based on the specific gravity of each of the parts. The middle layer is densely packed with blood platelets. This layer is the one PRP therapy is based around.

The platelet rich layer of the blood sample is then injected back into the patient’s affected area. Blood platelets promote the natural healing process by attracting white blood cells to the area. Platelet Rich plasma therapy induces this process in places where the tissue regeneration rate is too low to heal effectively.

PRP has gained popularity in the media in the past decade through sports icons who have used the treatments to continue their careers after otherwise devastating injuries.

PRP Benefits

PRP therapies have a wealth of benefits for patients. It is completely safe and has a range of applications. PRP has shown to repair tissue and shorten recovery times. Since the blood sample is taken from the patient there is no risk of infection or rejection of the treatment.

Most patients find increasing pain relief over time after the procedure. For patients who suffer from tendonitis or osteoarthritis, pain relief results are particularly apparent. Success rates are also high for PRP therapy, with most patients seeing lasting results after one injection.

Therapy can be performed in under an hour, and most patients go back to performing normal activities after the procedure. It is also not necessary to have this operation performed in a hospital setting, which can save a lot of time in waiting rooms.

Schedule an appointment with a Minnesota pain physician who specializes in regenerative medicine today to see if PRP therapy can help reduce your pain.