What exactly is PRP?
In more recent years PRP (Platelet rich Plasma) has become
popular in the world of professional athletes. Many well-known athletes such as
Tiger Wood and Koby Bryant have used PRP to help aid in healing different
tendonitis and musculoskeletal injures. PRP is the platelets that are extracted
from the plasma (which make up a large component of blood). These platelets are
rich in growth factors and it is thought that the growth factors are what aids
in speeding up the healing process. There is still a lot of unknowns about how
exactly PRP works but there has been major strides in the world of sports
medicine, oral surgery and fractures with PRP and its role in healing.
How is PRP prepared?
PRP can be done as an in office procedure or during surgery
in the operating room. It is a simple procedure with minimal discomfort. It
would begin with a phlebotomist extracting blood from a vein in one’s arm. The
blood is then mixed in a centrifuge; this process allows the platelet rich
plasma to be separated from the entire blood content. The PRP is then mixed
with a local anesthetic and injected into the area of injury. The whole process
in the office takes less than 30 minutes with minimal discomfort. After the procedure there may be discomfort to
the area for a few days. Icing is recommended if there is mild pain.
What conditions can
be treated with PRP?
PRP has been shown in studies to be most effective for
chronic tendonitis. In addition it can be beneficial in acute injuries and
fractures. In our practice we have been using PRP in an office setting for
acute and chronic injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and
chronic pain from ankle sprains. We have had great success and find that within
a few days of the procedure many patients are pain free. Sometimes more than
one treatment with PRP is required to get the full effects from the PRP.
In conclusion, there are still more studies that are
required to determine how exactly PRP works, but to date the results are
promising as patients who have been suffering from chronic problems are
responding well to PRP injections.
For more information and to schedule an appointment to have
PRP done, please visit our website at http://footnj.com/podiatrist-new-jersey-about-us/23/242-platelet-rich-plasma-injections
