Besides being successful professional athletes, Rafael Nadal and Tiger Woods have something else in common. They have both tried PRP injection therapy for their injuries. We all get injured whether we are professionals or weekend warriors, so is this something you might want to try? Here are the most common questions that Elite Orthopedics & Spine receives about PRP injection therapy.
What Is PRP?
PRP stands for platelet rich plasma. Our blood is made up of mainly plasma, a liquid which contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that cause our blood to clot. Platelets contain proteins by the hundreds known as “growth factors” which also help to heal injuries. PRP is plasma, but it contains 5 to 10 times more platelets than a standard blood sample.
This concentrated injection is created when platelets are separated through a process called centrifugation. The purpose of making this robust PRP injection is to aid cell growth and encourage our tissues to heal faster naturally.
How Is PRP Injection Therapy Used?
PRP is a form of regenerative medicine to increase natural growth factors the body uses to heal tissue. Employing your own healing system, it can speed the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, making it an effective option for ligament/muscle strains and post-surgical healing.
PRP has been used to reduce pain and speed up a patient’s recovery from common conditions like:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Achilles tendon ruptures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Tendonitis
- Tennis or golf elbow
- Jumper’s knee
- Ligament and muscle strains
These injections have also been used to treat cosmetic issues like hair loss, in addition to symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, post-surgical healing, and post-surgical pain. PRP has even been used during surgery to be stitched into torn tissues.
Is It Safe?
Because our specialists at Elite Orthopedics & Spine use the patient’s own blood to create their PRP injections, these treatments have little to no side effects and are safer than using anti-inflammatory meds or stronger opioids for pain.
Inform your doctor about all current medications that you are taking. Many times patients are asked to stop taking blood thinners or fish oil supplements prior to an injection.
Will Insurance Cover the Injections?
No, the FDA has not yet approved its use, so all injections are out-of-pocket expenses. This is due to the fact that more research and clinical trials are needed to definitively prove the efficacy of PRP injection therapy.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
Talk to Elite Orthopedics & Spine today by calling (205) 573-4700 or visiting our clinic at 2660 10th Avenue South Building 1, Suite 107 Birmingham, AL 35205 to learn whether PRP injection therapy may help with your personal pain levels and tissue injuries. You can also visit our contact page or explore our full range of orthopedic and spine services to learn more.
