Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) harnesses your body's natural ability to repair itself to heal damaged or diseased tissue. It's an effective treatment for a wide range of orthopedic conditions and athletic injuries, accelerating healing and potentially preventing surgery. The physicians at Bluetail Medical Group have years of experience in non-operative sports medicine and regenerative therapies like PRP.
What are Platelets?
Naturally found in your blood, platelets are a rich source of proteins called growth factors, which promote healing. Any time your tissues are damaged or diseased, platelets migrate to the area, stimulate new cell growth, and accelerate tissue repair.
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a higher concentration of platelets than the amount normally found in your blood. To create PRP, your doctor draws a sample of your blood and places it in a centrifuge, which separates out the platelets. These concentrated platelets are recombined with your blood plasma to make PRP.
What is PRP Therapy?
When you undergo PRP therapy, your doctor begins by numbing the targeted area. Using ultrasound imaging to precisely guide the needle, your doctor injects the PRP into the damaged tissue.
After they're injected, the platelets:
- Recruit regenerative cells to the area
- Increase the regenerative cells' effectiveness
- Reduce inflammation and pain
- Accelerate healing
- Trigger production of tissues like collagen, muscles, and connective tissues
The growth factors in regenerative cells are also responsible for many aspects of healing. For instance, they increase blood vessel growth and prevent degeneration of soft tissues.
What Conditions are Treated with PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is an effective treatment for a broad range of orthopedic conditions, from tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries to degenerative diseases, including:
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Partial rotator cuff tears
- Sprains and strains
- Joint capsular laxity
- Plantar fasciitis
- Knee pain
- Back and neck pain
These are just a few examples of the conditions frequently treated with PRP at Bluetail Medical Group, though PRP therapy is an effective treatment for virtually any type of musculoskeletal problem.
How Does Regenerative Cellular Therapy Complement PRP Therapy?
Depending on the severity of your injury or disease, your doctor may combine PRP with regenerative cellular therapy. The effectiveness of both treatments combined is greater than either one alone. When used together, PRP activates the regenerative cells and significantly boosts tissue repair.
Schedule a Consultation
Interested in PRP Therapy? Talk to one of our specialists to learn if this treatment is right for you.