Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a non-surgical option for a range of orthopedic conditions, including joint arthritis, ligament sprains, and tendon injuries. This treatment utilizes the body’s natural healing response to promote tissue repair and accelerate healing with a concentration of platelets and their growth factors injected into damaged joints, tendons, or ligaments.

I offer this innovative treatment to potentially reduce symptoms including stiffness, swelling, tenderness, inflammation, and pain. I have been performing PRP injections since 2005 and teach many courses on it both nationally and internationally.   I practice PRP at the highest level incorporating outcome tracking to ensure the best results and innovation.

Platelet-rich plasma is simply blood plasma with a higher concentration of platelets than normally found in whole blood. While platelets are important for blood clotting, they are also rich in growth factors to aid in injury healing and to trigger the natural reparative processes.

There are different types of PRP on the market.  We choose the best preparation methods for each problem and have specific protocols for every diagnosis based on solid research.  I have over 20 years of experience in biologics and understand the great variability in cellular preparations, commercial kits available, and a general lack of injection protocols that can affect outcomes.  We measure platelets on our patients to make sure they are getting appropriate doses and we monitor outcomes.

Our clinic also participates in many research studies regarding biological treatments.  I always perform PRP injections with ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. This allows for accurate visualization of the targeted areas while avoiding trauma to surrounding tissue and structures.

Tendons and ligaments have poor blood supply and have less effective healing than other tissues. This can lead to chronic pain and instability.  Platelets are found in the blood and are primarily known for stopping bleeding when you get cut.  As part of their function, platelets have large reservoirs of growth factors that initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.  They stimulate wound healing of connective tissue (tendons and ligaments), bone regeneration and repair, and promotion of new blood vessels. The process is similar in arthritic joints and helps reduce the inflammatory nature of the liquid (synovial fluid) that is in all joints.  An analogy for PRP would be thinking of adding “fertilizer” to flowers or your lawn to stimulate blossoming and growth. 

The blood is taken from the individual and processed on the same day.  Platelets are separated out and then concentrated many fold.  The PRP graft made from the patient is placed into the damaged area that has been identified by the use of image guidance (ultrasound). This all stimulates a healing cascade.

While many non-surgical, traditional treatment options focus on relieving pain, platelet-rich plasma injections aim to relieve pain and inflammation while simultaneously addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This quick, outpatient procedure typically takes less than an hour to perform with minimal discomfort to the patient.

PRP often allows the following:
Reduction of pain /  Restore normal or improved function  /  Reduce the need for prolonged physical therapy  / Reduce the need for possible surgery or enhance surgical recovery  /  Avoid long periods of inactivity and deconditioning.