PRP Injections for Joint & Tendon Healing, Natural Regenerative Treatment for Pain Relief, PRP Therapy Serving Boca Raton & Boynton Beach

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Our blood consists of a liquid component known as plasma. It also consists of three main solid components which include the red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Platelets play an important role in forming blood clots. They also consist of special proteins, known as growth factors, which help with our body's healing process. Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is a high concentration of platelets and plasma. A normal blood specimen contains only 6% platelets, while platelet-rich plasma contains 94% of platelets and 5 to 10 times the concentration of growth factors found in normal blood, thus greater healing properties.

What are the Indications for PRP Injections?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a biologic treatment which is commonly used to treat a multitude of conditions involving the shoulder, elbow, and knee.

Labral tears in the shoulder.
Meniscus tears in the knee.
MCL tears in the knee.

Tendonitis (Chronic tendonitis or partial-thickness tears)

Rotator cuff tears (PARTIAL THICKNESS)
Biceps
Golfers/Tennis elbow
Tendonitis around the hip (Gluteus medius)
Patellar or quadriceps tendonitis

Ligament Injury

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee

Degenerative Joint Disease

Knee osteoarthritis
Shoulder osteoarthritis
Elbow osteoarthritis

In general, PRP is unlike other commonly used injections such as steroid or cortisone. PRP will take time to provide therapeutic relief. It is common for PRP to take around 6-8 weeks to provide therapeutic relief. As such, PRP requires patience. I strongly recommend physical therapy during the recovery process after the PRP injection based off indication for the injection.

PRP is being studied and used for many orthopedic conditions.

For example, there are several high level academic research studies published showing that PRP is a better treatment than steroid or hyaluronic acid injection for knee osteoarthritis. PRP has now been used and studied for virtually every joint tendon, ligament injury in orthopedics.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Procedure

The procedure is completed in the office during one visit. The entire visit will normally take around one hour, so please plan your schedule accordingly.

The procedure begins by having 60 mL of peripheral blood painlessly drawn from your arm. The blood is then spun in the Arthrex ANGEL centrifuge for approximately 20 minutes. This machine is highly specialized and allows the the doctor to choose one of two settings: leukocyte rich or leukocyte poor.

Leukocyte rich is commonly used for conditions such as rotator cuff partial thickness tear, bursitis or impingement, tennis/golfer's elbow, ligament sprains in the knee.

Leukocyte poor is commonly used for arthritis of the shoulder and knee.

After the sample is separated into approximately 4-6 mL of leukocyte rich/leukocyte poor PRP, the patient is prepared for the injection in the procedure room in the office. Under sterile technique the injection is performed using ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound guidance is paramount to ensure the injection is delivered to the precise location it is needed.

Post-Procedure Care following PRP Injections

After the injection, it is normal to feel some discomfort for up to a week at the injection site. This is particularly common when PRP is injected into the elbow for tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

You may use cryotherapy or cold compression to help alleviate your symptoms.

It is OKAY to use anti-inflammatory medications as needed. Older date supported not using anti-inflammatory medications for one to two weeks after PRP. As such, I often recommend patients to try to refrain from anti-inflammatory medications for one to two weeks and ONLY take them if they are needed for pain after the injection.

I strongly recommend avoiding impact activity for one week after the injection. Would recommend low impact activity and stretch activities for one week after the PRP injection.