Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or simply PRP, is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses your body’s own growth factors and platelets to ease pain, limit inflammation, and encourage healing. 

Your blood is a liquid, but it also contains microscopic components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors. PRP is a plasma solution that contains 5-10 times more growth factors than usual.

When injected into your body, this solution promotes recovery, without the need for a time-consuming or complex orthopedic surgery.

What types of injuries can benefit from treatment with PRP?

PRP is incredibly versatile and capable of easing pain caused by a variety of conditions. The team at Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists regularly prescribes PRP to treat:

• Tendinitis
• Tendon tears and ruptures
• Osteoarthritis
• Nerve damage
• Slow-healing wounds
• Fractures

You might also benefit from PRP if you suffer from acute or chronic back pain.

Am I a good candidate to receive PRP?

Only a qualified medical provider, like those at Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists, can determine if you’re a good candidate for PRP. The team performs PRP onsite as an outpatient procedure.

At the beginning of your appointment, your provider reviews your medical history and asks you about your symptoms. Your provider also conducts a thorough physical exam, and if necessary, takes X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at your affected joints or soft tissues. 

Whether you’ll benefit from PRP depends on several factors, including your overall health, the area of your body being treated, and if your injury is chronic or acute.

What is the process for receiving PRP?

If your Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists provider determines you’re a good candidate for PRP, they draw a sample of your blood and place it into a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins around rapidly and separates your platelets from the rest of your blood.

Once the solution is ready, your provider injects it into an area of damaged or swollen tissue, such as a sore joint or torn ligament. When the PRP solution enters your body, it eases inflammation and promotes the growth of healthy new tissue and cells.

To see if you’re a candidate for treatment with PRP, make an appointment at Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists by calling the office or booking online today.