PRP therapy is a three-step process. Most PRP therapy requires three treatments 4–6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are required every 4–6 months.
After 24 weeks, nearly 84 percent of patients who received the PRP injections reported a 25 percent or greater reduction in pain, while 68.3 percent reported similar results.
Depending on the injury, 30-60ml (one to two ounces) is drawn with a simple blood draw. The blood is then processed in the lab to produce the PRP This takes about 30 minutes and then the platelets are collected in a syringe leaving 3-7cc (one to two teaspoons) to be placed at the site of injury.
Blood is removed from the arm using a needle into the vein. Then the blood is processed in a centrifuge, equipment that separates blood components into different parts according to their density. The platelets are separated into blood serum (plasma), while some of the white and red blood cells may be removed. Therefore, by spinning the blood, the equipment concentrates the platelets and produces what is called platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
It is a nonsurgical and regenerative treatment option that helps to heal patients with chronic muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries. It works by stimulating platelet activation. This then allows the injured body part to heal since it is imitating the body’s natural response to an injury.
Different types of PRP products are usually given as injections (shots) to heal and repair injuries. The job of platelets in the body is to help blood clot when there is an injury. The cytokines and growth factors that are in platelets can help repair injuries and encourage healing.
Studies have indicated that PRP is or may be useful to treat:
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).
- Knee osteoarthritis (PRP is being combined with other options to lessen pain, improve function and possibly help repair cartilage. A certain type of PRP called leukocyte-poor PRP or LP-PRP has been suggested as the most useful for knee osteoarthritis.)
- Sports injuries such as pulled muscles, joint sprains or ligament tears.
- Wounds.
