What is a PRP treatment like?
A PRP treatment begins by taking a small sample of your blood - about 1½ ounces - and treating it in the laboratory to remove the red blood cells and most of the serum, the liquid component of the blood. In about 30 minutes the concentration of platelets can be increased about five-fold from approximately 250,000 up to 1.25 million platelets/cc.

This process is done by using a special centrifuge, which spins the blood and allows the platelets to be separated from other blood elements and to be concentrated. All steps in the production of PRP are done without the use of foreign substances or animal products. Everything in PRP comes from your own body.

The concentrated platelet-rich solution or PRP is usually used right away. As soon as the PRP is produced it can be injected into an area of injury where it immediately begins the process of repair and rebuilding. In some cases we will use ultrasound guidance to ensure that the PRP is injected into precisely the correct area. Because your own blood is used to create PRP, there is no risk of introducing a new blood-borne infection into your body or causing any type of rejection.

In some cases we will also take a small sample of fat, about two teaspoons, typically from the abdomen, and inject this into the painful area as well. We harvest this fat as part of a mini liposuction procedure at the same time as the PRP is being made in the laboratory. Abdominal fat is the richest source of mesenchymal stem cells in the body containing and as many as one or two million cells per gram of fat. Mesenchymal stem cells are the cells in the body that help regrow cartilage, ligament, bone and nerves and are critical to orthopedic repair. After the procedure the patient is observed for 5 - 10 minutes then discharged home.

The risk of infection is very small, but can occur with injections. There may be some discomfort and pain at injection site. You may need more than one injection depending on severity of your initial diagnosis and your age. Those who are younger typically require fewer injections.

What can I expect after my treatment?
You can expect about 3 - 5 days of increased pain after the procedure, which is an important part of the healing process and you will be given pain medications to take during this period.

Reduction in pain and healing begins after 1 or 2 weeks with further improvement continuing for 4 to 6 weeks. Depending on your degree of improvement, we may suggest a second PRP treatment at this time. In cases of severe arthritis, three PRP treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals are done.

This treatment will increase inflammation during the healing phase so you will need to refrain from medications that reduce inflammation and affect platelet activity as this will impede your healing process. You will need to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naproxen, or Aspirin. Tylenol or a mild narcotic may be instituted for pain relief. Fish oil can be used without any concern for platelet activity and it has a mild anti-inflammatory affect.

What results can I expect?
Reduction in pain, increased mobility and return to full activity are seen in many cases. Often, surgical procedures can be delayed or avoided completely and the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications reduced or eliminated.