Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy at Longview Orthopedic

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

PRP is autologous, which means that it comes from patients themselves. It’s derived from the blood. Plasma is the liquid medium that serves as a vessel for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, also called thrombocytes, which are blood cells that promote clotting and are instrumental to regenerating tissue.

PRP is created from the patients’ blood, which is drawn when they arrive for their treatment. The blood is put into a centrifuge, which spins incredibly quickly and separates the plasma and platelets from the other parts of the blood.

This resulting plasma is rich in cytokines, growth factors, and platelets.

What is PRP Therapy?

PRP therapy involves one or more injections of PRP into an area with acutely damaged or degraded tissues. Because PRP includes anti-inflammatories like cytokines, these injections help promote tissue regeneration while alleviating pain.

Platelets also attract stem cells. Stem cells are like cellular building blocks, and the body uses them to create other tissues, like cartilage, bone marrow, and other soft tissues. Doctors believe that stem cells in a localized area can help promote cellular regrowth, healing, and pain relief.

How Does PRP work?

Platelet-rich plasma injections use the body’s own healing processes to encourage faster, more thorough healing. Because PRP injections contain concentrated platelets, cytokines, and growth factors, it encourages the soft tissue cells around the injection site to regenerate. The new cells help alleviate pain and increase mobility, which may help patients avoid costly surgical procedures.

PRP injections are commonly used alongside other treatments. They’ve been used during surgery for quite a long time, but more recently orthopedists have begun using them alongside amniotic fluid injections to further boost their efficacy.

What Can PRP Therapy Treat?

Because platelet-rich plasma boosts the body’s natural healing abilities, it’s being used for both degenerative conditions and acute injuries like:

• Knee osteoarthritis, where studies have indicated that platelet-rich plasma is more effective than hyaluronic acid alone
• Tendon injuries like tennis elbow
• Acute strains and sprains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Surgical recovery