Platelet rich plasma therapy is a ground-breaking therapy that is revolutionizing Orthopedic Sports Medicine. It has been successfully used by many high-level athletes to minimize downtime after injury allowing quick return to active play.
This innovative treatment makes use of and enhances the body’s natural healing mechanism to rapidly repair slow-healing ligament, tendon, and cartilage injuries. PRP has also shown very promising potential in treating degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.
PRP is prepared from a small amount of blood that is drawn from the patient. The blood is then centrifuged and processed to obtain platelet rich plasma, which is then injected into the site of injury, which stimulates the process of tissue regeneration and healing of the area of injury. The entire procedure from blood draw to injection can be performed in 1 visit. The number of injections performed is usually 3 injections spaced 1 week apart, but this may vary depending on the location and extent of injury. Patients usually experience a noticeable reduction in symptoms and improved function after the 2nd or 3rd PRP injection.
Conditions that can benefit from platelet-rich plasma therapy include:
- Tendon injuries
- Hip, knee, and other joint osteoarthritis
- Hip and hamstring strains
- Knee injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
The Benefits of PRP:
- Long lasting effect compared to other non-surgical treatments such as pain medications, cortisone or steroid injections
- Minimal risk of infection or allergic reaction as the platelet rich plasma is derived from the patient’s own blood
- Fairly simple & short procedure that can be performed in the outpatient setting
- Timely treatment with PRP could potentially delay or avoid need for joint replacement
If you have a ligament or tendon injury that does not appear to be healing despite several months of rest and other forms of conservative care, consult your doctor or an orthopedic specialist about the possibility of receiving PRP therapy.
Dr. Domb is a nationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, shoulder and knee. A noted pioneer in advanced new techniques in hip arthroscopy, he delivers innovative treatments for patients with hip injuries such as impingement and labral tears. Dr. Domb is also an expert in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee, adept in specialized techniques including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and all-inside ACL reconstruction.
