What are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are made up of a high concentration of platelets containing growth factors. Platelets come from your blood, making it clot if you injure yourself. The growth factors in the platelets assist with tissue healing and new cell production.
Your blood delivers platelets and growth factors to an injury site to start the repair process. The more growth factors in your blood, the better and faster the tissues heal. PRP injections raise growth factor levels in an area of damaged tissue.
PRP injections contain far higher growth factor levels than the same blood volume. Therefore having these injections can speed up and improve the healing process. PRP injections treat acute injuries but can also trigger further healing in old, poorly healed injuries.
What conditions can PRP treat?
The LeHeal Biogenix team uses PRP injections to treat many musculoskeletal disorders, including:
- Arthritis
- Ligament sprains
- Tendon and muscle strains
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tennis and golfer’s elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis and tendinosis
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Meniscus and labral (cartilage) tears
- Bursitis
PRP injections are invaluable in treating sports injuries. Many world-class athletes use PRP therapy, and by visiting LeHeal Biogenix, you can enjoy the same benefits.
Because PRP injections target the cause of your pain, they’re far more effective than medication that just masks pain. Many patients find they can avoid having invasive procedures and surgery by receiving PRP injections.
What does having PRP injections involve?
PRP injections consist of two stages. First, the LeHeal Biogenix team takes a blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm. The blood goes into a small machine (centrifuge) that spins extremely fast. Spinning separates your blood into red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma (the fluid part of the blood).
Next, your doctor injects the mixture of platelets and plasma directly into the injured tissues. Depending on where the PRP needs to go, this might require ultrasound imaging to guide the needle placement.
After the injection, you can carry on with your life. You might feel a little tenderness at the injection site, but this soon wears off. Some patients benefit from a single PRP injection, but others require several treatments. It can take a few weeks for the PRP to make a significant difference as new cells need to grow, but the results can last for years.
Call LeHeal Biogenix or schedule a free consultation online today to learn what PRP injections can do for you.