Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Facts and Information
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a revolutionary new non-sugical treatment that relieves pain by promoting long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions.
The PRP procedure uses a patient’s own blood components and growth factors to stimulate a healing response in damaged tissues.
The body’s natural reaction to an injury is to send platelets and white blood cells from the blood to the damaged tissues to initiate healing. Your body’s platelets store numerous growth factors which are released through signals from the injured tissue.
New advancements in medicine now allow us to concentrate platelets and white blood cells from your blood, and encourage this growth factor release as we inject the solution directly into injured tissue, simulating this same healing response in a much more potent form. By enhancing the body’s natural healing capacity, this treatment has been shown to lead to a more rapid, more efficient, and more thorough restoration of the tissue to a healthy state. The GS Medical Center treats patients in Ocean and Monmouth County, NJ, with locations in Toms River, Brick, and other cities.
Can Platelet Rich Plasma Help Me?
PRP may help if you have: meniscus tears in your knee. Rotator cuff tears in your shoulder. Plantar fasciitis in your foot. And injuries in your spine, hip or elbow.
Benefits of PPlatelet Rich Plasma
Parts of your body have a hard time healing. For example, ligaments and tendons (they connect bones and muscles) don’t get much blood from the body. Sprains and strains of these tissues heal slowly. PRP uses your own blood to speed up the healing in these areas.
The Platelet Rich Plasma Procedure
Creating the Mix
The process begins with a sample of your blood. It is spun around in a centrifuge. This separates it into platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells. The platelets are then concentrated and mixed with some of the plasma. This mixture is called “platelet rich plasma.” The doctor injects this into the site of your injury.
Injection
After the injection, your immune system (the system that keeps your body healthy) reacts quickly. Special white blood cells called “macrophages” rush in. They take away damaged cells. They help prep the site for healing. Then, stem cells and other cells begin to multiply. Over time, they repair and rebuild the injured tissues.
Conclusion
The PRP process is quick. You can go home the same day. It may help your injury heal faster. PRP can help treat and eliminate the cause of your pain. Some people need more than one treatment before they heal completely.