What is PRP Therapy?

PRP Therapy—also known as “PRP injections”—is a novel treatment option for managing pain that involves uses a patient’s own blood to accelerate healing in a specific area. When administered by a professional, PRP therapy has been shown to treat a wide variety of pain conditions, including those suffering from both chronic and acute pain.In the following paragraphs, learn more about how PRP therapy works and what it can be used to treat, and find out if this minimally-invasive treatment option is right for managing your pain.

How Does PRP Therapy Work?

The acronym PRP in PRP therapy stands for what’s called “platelet-rich plasma,” a concentrated solution of platelets. Clinicians simply take a blood sample from a patient and place it in a centrifuge (a machine that separates fluids of different densities) which separating platelets—a type of blood cell that helps heal the body—from red blood cells—which transport oxygen to your body’s tissues.By separating the platelets from your red blood cells, clinicians are able to create a concentrated solution of platelet-rich plasma, which can then be injected into a target area—such as injured tendon—via PRP injections. This triggers a process that speeds up the production of tissue-regenerating growth factors (including bio-proteins and hormones), which accelerates the healing process.

What Do PRP Injections Treat?

PRP Therapy has steadily gained popularity as a effective non-surgical treatment for a variety of conditions, from osteoarthritis to acute injuries to even post-surgical repair. If you’re experiencing pain in any of the following areas, PRP injections may be the right choice for you.PRP Therapy for knee pain: PRP injections have been shown to help those suffering from many types of knee injuries, including knee strains and “jumper’s knee,” a common sport-related injury caused by overuse of your knee joint.PRP Therapy for arm pain: Doctors have used PRP injections to treat chronic tendon problems, such as tennis elbow—painful inflammation of the elbow joint, caused by overuse—among other injuries. It can also be helpful for treating shoulder pain—such as pain caused by a torn rotator cuff.PRP Therapy for back painHave back pain? PRP therapy is a minimally-invasive treatment option that can offer significant relief from chronic back pain, as well as many common back injuries, such a muscle strains and ligament sprains.PRP Therapy for joint painPRP therapy has been shown to be an effective form of therapy for joint pain and many other types of soft tissue injuries. In fact, it may even inhibit inflammation and slow the progression of osteoarthritis and other joint-related symptoms.

What Happens During A Procedure?

PRP injections typically follow the same four steps:

1. First, your doctor will draw a small amount of blood from your arm.
2. They’ll then put the blood sample in a centrifuge to create a concentration of platelets from your blood.
3. Next, they’ll numb the area where you intend to have the injection, and inject the PRP into the area just like a regular shot.
4. Following a brief period spent resting, you can go home. You should be able to feel the effects of treatment after a few weeks.

Frequent Questions About PRP Therapy in Dallas

Is PRP and Stem Cell Therapy the same thing?No. PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated-platelets into an injured area to stimulate healing. Stem cell therapy, in contrast, involves the administration of stem cells—cells with the ability to form into many different cell types, and to replicate many times over—into an area to stimulate the production of new cells.Is Platelet-rich Plasma therapy effective?Research suggests that plasma therapy is an effective form of treatment that can be used for a range of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain and acute injuries.What are the potential side effects of therapy?PRP injection is a low-risk procedure that usually doesn’t cause any major side-effects. Common side-effects include soreness and bruising at the injection site, as well as light-headedness following the blood draw procedure. Talk to your health care provider to learn more about the risks of PRP treatment.What is the recovery time for PRP injections?You can expect to be able to resume your daily actives, following the PRP procedure, however it’s generally encouraged that you rest the affected area. You may notice an immediate difference in a few hours following treatment, or it might take several weeks or months for you to feel the effects.

Learn More About PRP Therapy in Dallas

At Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas, our expert physicians are eager to help you find a solution to manage and cure your your pain. PRP therapy is a low-risk, minimally-invasive procedure that can be used to treat a wide range of pain conditions. If you curious about PRP injection therapy and would like to know if it’s a viable treatment option for your pain, contact us now! We’d love to answer all your questions and concerns, and help determine if you’re a good candidate for PRP treatment.

‍Not sure if PRP Therapy is right for you? No problem! During your first appointment, we’ll take the time to review your medical history and recommend a custom treatment option—specifically designed for you.Schedule an appointment online today!