Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Injection uses a patient’s blood components, rich in growth factors, and delivers them precisely into injured or diseased tissue. This minimally invasive treatment aims to speed up tissue repair and regeneration. Below are five key sections, plus a summary and FAQ to give you a clear overview.
What Is PRP?
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) comes from a patient’s blood. After spinning the blood in a centrifuge to remove red cells, clinicians collect and concentrate the platelet-rich layer. Those platelets hold growth factors (like PDGF and TGF-β) that spur fibroblast growth, collagen formation, and new blood-vessel growth, speeding soft-tissue and joint repair.
What Does PRP Injection Involve?
Doctors use imaging (ultrasound or X-ray) to guide a fine needle into the target area—be it a joint, tendon sheath, or soft-tissue lesion—and inject PRP. This approach cuts down on trauma and delivers a high dose of growth factors right where tissues need healing, reducing pain and recovering function faster.
PRP Injection Steps
- Blood Draw: Draw 15–60 mL of venous blood, depending on the treatment site and volume needed.
- Centrifugation: Spin the blood twice—first at a low speed to remove red cells, then at a higher speed to concentrate platelets.
- PRP Preparation: Collect the platelet-rich plasma and adjust its concentration to 5–10× the level in whole blood.
- Injection: After local cleansing and numbing, imaging is used to guide a 22–25 G needle, and 2–8 mL of PRP is injected into the injury site.
- The visit takes 30–60 minutes, and doctors often schedule 1–3 treatments spaced 2–4 weeks apart.
Aftercare
- Rest: Keep the treated area still for the rest of the day.
- Ice: Apply ice packs for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times daily for 48 hours to curb swelling and pain.
- No NSAIDs: Avoid drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin for two weeks so platelets can work fully.
- Gradual Activity: Start light movement after 3–5 days for small joints or soft tissue; larger joints can bear weight after 5–7 days under a therapist’s guidance.
- Nutrition & Habits: Eat enough protein, vitamin C, and zinc, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking or alcohol.
- Follow-Up: Review progress at 4–6 weeks to decide whether to add more sessions.
Risks & Complications
- Infection: Even with your blood, needle breaks in skin risk infection—clinicians follow strict sterile steps.
- Pain & Inflammation: You may feel aching or heat for 3–5 days as your body reacts.
- Nerve or Vessel Injury: A wrong angle can nick a nerve or vessel, causing numbness or bruising.
- Hematoma: Too much fluid or uneven spread may leave a small bruise or lump.
- Who to Avoid: PRP can run risks for people with clotting disorders, active infections, cancer, or serious heart/lung disease.
- Choosing a skilled doctor and a proper facility cuts these risks to very low levels.
Summary
PRP injection taps into your body’s healing power by concentrating platelets and their growth factors. It fits between noninvasive therapies and surgery, and it finds uses in orthopedics, sports medicine, skin rejuvenation, and wound healing. To get the best outcome, work with an experienced clinician who tailors the plan to your needs and follows strict protocols from evaluation through recovery.
FAQ
Who benefits most from PRP?
Patients with chronic tendon pain, mild to moderate osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or early cosmetic concerns often see gains when other treatments fall short.
How many sessions do I need?
Typically 1–3 sessions, spaced 2–4 weeks apart. Your doctor will set the exact number based on your condition and response.
When will I notice improvements?
Many feel less pain and better function at 4–6 weeks, with full tissue repair up to 3–6 months.
Is the injection painful?
We numb the area first, so you’ll feel only mild discomfort during the shot. Post-treatment soreness is normal and eases with rest and ice.
Why choose PRP over steroids?
PRP uses your blood, so it carries no foreign substances or disease risk. It encourages true tissue regeneration, not just inflammation control.