PRP injection stimulates your body’s natural healing processes and can reduce pain and increase your range of motion. The procedure involves drawing blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and other components. The doctor then injects the plasma into the injured area under ultrasound guidance.
Before the treatment, you’ll need to stop taking medications that thin your blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen. You can also expect some bruising or soreness at the injection site. Contact House of Aesthetix now!
While it may sound scary to have a doctor draw your blood, PRP injection is a safe procedure that doesn’t typically cause major side effects. Since the blood is your own, there’s no worry about rejection or disease transmission. In addition, the procedure is minimally invasive, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the injection process.
The doctor first draws a sample of your blood and then runs it through a centrifuge to separate out its various components, including plasma and platelets. The platelets are then concentrated to anywhere from 2 to 8 times their normal quantity and then injected into the injured site. The doctor may use ultrasound to help guide the needle into the target area.
Platelet-rich plasma contains a high concentration of bioproteins and hormones that stimulate the healing process. When injected into an injury, the plasma can increase the amount of collagen produced, which decreases inflammation and speeds up the rate of recovery.
Injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments can take a long time to heal. Adding PRP to a treatment regimen can increase the speed of healing, reduce pain and swelling, and allow you to return to your normal activities faster.
For example, if you’ve been suffering from lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), PRP therapy can help you recover faster and get back to your regular activities. In addition, the PRP therapy can help you avoid surgery and improve your quality of life while you’re recovering from the injury.
PRP injections are also used to treat hair loss, as the growth factors stimulate hair follicles to grow new hair. However, this application of PRP is still experimental, and results may vary.
If you’re considering PRP injections, make sure to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor. It’s important that the facility where your PRP is being prepared follows strict sanitary standards, as any infection could be dangerous or even fatal. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for a few days before and after your injection, as these can interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.
It’s Effective
As the name suggests, platelet-rich plasma contains concentrated levels of blood platelets, which have powerful healing properties. When injected into an injured area, such as a knee or a tendon, they stimulate and speed up the body’s natural healing process by encouraging growth and regeneration of new tissue.
This treatment is a great option for patients who want to avoid surgery but need help getting back to their everyday activities. It can also be used to reduce pain and inflammation after an injury. The procedure takes only one or two hours and is completely safe.
PRP injections accelerate the healing process and bring the healing to the area that needs it most. This is important because most musculoskeletal tissues such as ligaments, tendons and muscles only have limited blood flow. Injections of platelet-rich plasma encourage new cell growth and strengthen these weak tissues, leading to improved joint and muscle functions with significantly less pain.
Several studies have shown that PRP can effectively treat many different musculoskeletal conditions. Carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff injuries are just two examples. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed to investigate the effects of PRP on other musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis of the knee, elbow, hip, shoulder and ankle.
The Smith study [6] into the effectiveness of PRP for OA showed that three, weekly injections of PRP resulted in a significant reduction of WOMAC score at three months compared to a saline placebo group. This is in keeping with similar results found in a double-blind RCT conducted by Patel et al.
Some patients may experience discomfort after the procedure due to the regenerative nature of the PRP. This is usually short-lived and can be managed with the use of over-the-counter pain relievers. Alternatively, we can administer a local anesthetic before the procedure to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort during or after. Our team will work with you to understand your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. This is an important step because the use of this procedure for chronic pain has not been approved by the FDA, so it is not covered by most medical insurance plans.
It’s Fast
If you’re looking for a treatment that works quickly, PRP is a good option. The procedure requires little downtime, and you can expect to see results in just a few weeks. While the treatment is still considered experimental by many health care professionals, it has shown promising results in a small number of patients.
The injection is not yet covered by insurance, and it can be expensive. It is important to understand the cost of the treatment before pursuing it. Different doctors charge different prices for the same procedures. Your doctor’s specialization will also affect the price of the procedure. For example, a specialist in sports injuries may charge more for the procedure than a cosmetic surgeon who performs the injections for hair growth or skin enhancement.
A PRP injection is a quick procedure that usually takes less than an hour. The procedure involves drawing blood and processing it in a centrifuge machine to separate the platelets. Once the platelets have been separated, your doctor will inject them into the injured site. They will use ultrasound imaging to guide the needle. Numbing medication is often used to reduce discomfort or pain during the procedure.
For musculoskeletal conditions, PRP injections accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration. They can help alleviate muscle, ligament and tendon injuries and osteoarthritis. They can even help delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
Before your PRP injection, it is important to avoid taking any blood-thinning medications or supplements. It is also important to be hydrated during the day of the procedure. During the procedure, you will be asked to lie down. A radiology nurse or technician will take a small amount of blood from the injection site.
Once the plasma is ready, your doctor will prepare the injection site by applying numbing medicine. They will then inject the platelet-rich plasma into the injury site using ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance as needed. Injections for musculoskeletal injuries generally only require one or two sessions and may last less than an hour. For hair loss and skin rejuvenation, patients typically need multiple treatments.
It’s Affordable
PRP injections are a relatively new treatment option for various orthopedic conditions, including muscle, ligament, tendon, and joint injuries. These injections can help alleviate pain, improve mobility and flexibility, and delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. Unlike many other treatments, PRP injections are made from your own body’s blood, so there’s little risk of rejection or allergic reaction.
To create the PRP, your doctor will draw a small sample of your blood and place it in a centrifuge that spins at high speeds to separate out the red blood cells from the plasma and platelets. The doctor then injects the concentrated platelets into the injured area, introducing the healing growth factors to the injury site.
Depending on the condition you’re treating, your doctor may recommend multiple sessions of PRP injections. This is especially true for conditions like arthritis and sports injuries. The number of sessions you need will also depend on the severity of your condition and how much improvement you want to see.
The cost of PRP injections can vary significantly depending on the facility where you have your treatment and the expertise of the practitioner. For example, a well-established hospital or specialized orthopedic center might charge more for their services because of their reputation and state-of-the-art equipment. However, the higher price can be worth it if you’re dealing with an experienced specialist who has a good track record of success with patients.
Before you receive a PRP injection, ask your practitioner how many sessions they think you’ll need and what their average cost is. Then compare that to the amount of improvement you hope to see and decide if it’s worth the investment.
PRP therapy is currently not covered by most insurances, including Medicare. Since it is considered investigational by the FDA, few insurance companies will reimburse for this procedure. However, Penn is actively collecting data in the hopes of eventually advocating for coverage of this groundbreaking treatment.
When it comes to PRP injections, the benefits outweigh the costs for most patients. The injections are safe, effective, and can help you get back to your normal life activities faster than traditional therapies. Moreover, you can expect minimal side effects, which can be easily managed with medication or pain relievers.