Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

What is platelet-rich plasma therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that leverages your body’s healing properties to stimulate new cell growth using platelets, the proteins in your blood perhaps best known for clotting your blood when you have a skin cut.

Because the blood that provides the platelets comes right from you, you don’t have to worry about whether your body will try to fight off the plasma, as if it’s a foreign substance, when it’s reinjected to an injured part of your body. Instead, the platelets get busy lessening your pain and speeding up the healing process.

How does PRP work?

Your blood contains several vital growth factors, including:

• Transforming growth factor
• Basic fibroblast growth factor
• Platelet-derived growth factor
• Vascular endothelial growth factor
• Epidermal growth factor

The process behind PRP therapy begins by withdrawing a small sample of your blood and isolating these growth-factor-rich platelets by spinning the blood sample at high speeds in a centrifuge. These platelets are then reintroduced into plasma, but in a much higher concentration than is typically found in your blood, and the plasma is injected where it’s needed into your body.

This entire process takes place on-site at Next Step Orthopedics.

What conditions can PRP treat?

Dr. Nickson might recommend platelet-rich plasma therapy for several conditions throughout your body, especially:

• Shoulder: Bicep tendinitis or partial rotator cuff tears
• Elbow: Tennis and golfer’s elbow
• Knee: Osteoarthritis or osteochondral defect
• Ankle: Osteoarthritis, peroneal tendinitis, or osteochondral defect of the talus
• Foot: Arthritis, posterior tibial tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, or tibialis anterior tendinitis

PRP can also accelerate tissue graft integration when used during orthopedic surgery.

What can I expect from PRP treatment?

Using a small needle, Dr. Nickson injects your platelet-fortified plasma directly into the damaged area of your body. Your injection site is covered with a bandage for approximately four hours.

You might experience mild discomfort and swelling, but this fades as the healing process begins. Additional aftercare is minimal, but you should avoid anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen, Aleve®, and Motrin®, for 48 hours after receiving your injection.

Depending on the area where you receive your injection, Dr. Nickson might also recommend avoiding strenuous activities, like running, biking, or heavy lifting, for up to two weeks. For PRP injections in your knees or ankles, you can often resume normal activities within three to four days.

PRP isn’t covered by insurance. In-office injections cost $750 per injection, and Dr. Nickson offers discounts for multiple injections. For maximum benefits, he might suggest up to three treatments.

To see if platelet-rich plasma therapy is an option for you, call Next Step Orthopedics or schedule an appointment online today.