PRP short for Platelet Rich Plasma is another technique and an alternative to treat your pain. The process involves collecting a concentration of platelet cells from the blood stream. Growth factors in platelets aid in the process of healing by alerting the body to begin repair. Injections of PRP into an injury is done to stimulate your body’s ability to heal and repair any conditions or pain.
How it’s done: The blood is withdrawn from a patient and placed into a centrifuge. (This is a machine which can spin at high speeds to separate the different cells in your blood.) The doctor is then able to extract the platelet-rich content of the blood and use it for injection into the patient.
Depending on the patient anywhere from one to several injections may be necessary. The procedure takes about one hour, and is done in the convenience of the office.
PRP injections have been shown to relieve acute and chronic pain and accelerate healing of injured tissues and joints.