From athletes and celebrities to your neighbor down the street, it may seem as though everyone you know is turning to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. But why? Are they really that effective?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Our team of experts at Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group have years of experience treating all types of pain conditions and injuries with PRP injections.
As its name suggests, PRP is made of two main components: plasma and platelets. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, and platelets are the blood cells that aid the healing process. In the simplest terms, PRP is blood that contains much higher levels of platelets than normal.
Why is that important? Platelets are known for their clotting abilities, but their most powerful characteristic is their growth factors. These growth factors stimulate cell reproduction, tissue regeneration, and healing.
It may sound like a treatment straight out of a science fiction novel, but for as advanced as it is, the process to create PRP is quite simple — we only need a small sample of your blood. After we’ve collected your blood, we place it in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins it at a rapid speed, separating the platelets and plasma from the rest of your blood. Then, we take the platelet-rich solution and prepare it for injection.
Now that you know the basics of PRP, it’s time to dive into exactly why so many folks are running, not walking, to get these injections.
What can PRP do for you? The better question might be what can’t PRP do for you? We recommend PRP for a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
PRP is also effective for accelerating healing after you’ve had surgery. Bonus: Virtually everyone is a candidate for PRP, especially if your pain hasn’t responded to cortisone injections, physical therapy, rest, bracing, analgesics, or anti-inflammatory medications.
There are certainly situations in which surgery is necessary to repair an injury or address pain. However, that isn’t always the case. We know how much of a toll surgery can take on a body, so it’s our goal to help you avoid the operating room whenever possible — and PRP is one of the first places we start.
All it requires is a simple injection that directly targets the areas of your body that need to be treated. You can get the relief you’ve been looking for without the need for poking around your body, creating incisions, or spending long periods in recovery.
Pain can change your life, but that doesn't mean you have to turn to potentially addictive medications to get a handle on it. PRP comes from your own blood — what’s more natural than that? If you’re among the many who want to manage pain without sacrificing your other health and wellness goals, PRP may be the best option for you.
Ready to see what PRP can do for you? Call or click to schedule an appointment at any of our five conveniently located offices today.
