Blood platelets help our blood clot because they contain particular enzymes and growth factors. Plasma is the liquid part of our blood. By concentrating plasma with more platelets than usual, our body gets a boost to heal more effectively.

Here’s an example.

• Tendons connect our muscles to bone and are subject to wear and tear over time.
• Tendon weakness can cause pain and loss of function.
• Because tendons have a poor blood supply, healing them is difficult.

However, a PRP injection to the tendon or another injured area sends a burst of natural healing properties to the site. Growth factors in PRP stimulate and increase reparative cells to promote healing.

During the in-office, outpatient procedure, our sports medicine experts draw your blood like you’d have done in a lab. However, depending on the size of your injury, you may need more or less blood drawn to capture the right amount of platelets.

They take the sample to a centrifuge, which spins the blood to isolate the platelet-rich plasma. Next, they place the PRP in a syringe. Your physician will numb the inflamed or injured area with local anesthesia, then inject the PRP into it.

Your physician will explain your treatment protocol following your injection, including the best way to manage any pain. You’ll also need to rest the area, maybe even restrict movement, for a few days before starting physical or occupational therapy.

PRP treatments can offer promising results for orthopedic conditions or sports injuries, such as:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Hip bursitis
• Knee pain
• Meniscus tears
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff diseases or tears
• Spine diseases
• Tendonitis
• Tennis/golfer’s elbow