Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma has been used for a number of years as a means to help with tissue regeneration and healing. The term refers to blood plasma that contains concentrated platelets.
There are many applications for PRP in use today. PRP is great for treating nagging injuries, such as tendonitis in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. In some cases, we inject the PRP directly into joints.
We have developed an environment whereby we are able to administer the platelet-rich plasma in a dedicated sterile environment utilizing ultrasound guidance technique to maximize the placement of the needle which is administering the PRP therapy.
PRP allows the healing process to use the body’s own natural growth factors. The significant advantage of PRP therapy is that it is using the patient’s own natural serum. There is far less likelihood of any adverse events occurring because of a foreign body reaction, immune rejection, or progressive tissue atrophy or rupture of tendons, as is the case often seen with the current corticosteroid injections.
At this point in time, platelet-rich plasma is not a treatment that is covered by any of the major insurance companies, and we will work with our patients to make sure that it is affordable and available to them when needed.