Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections is a type of regenerative medicine that uses injections of a patient’s own plasma platelets. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood that contains proteins which support cell growth and if re-injected into damaged tissues, it will stimulate your body to grow new healthy cells and accelerate healing. PRP injections can stimulate tissue regeneration and promote healing of injured or damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints, and skin. A few tubes of your own blood will be taken and prepared by running it through a centrifuge machine to separate and activate the platelets, then directly re-inject it into the damaged body tissue. Ultrasound imaging can be used to guide PRP injections into the affected area. The use of anti-inflammatory and pain medications, such as opioids, can be reduced if using PRP injections. This makes PRP treatment more of an advantage.
Some examples of injuries or conditions that PRP injections can manage and heal include:
- Achilles’s tendon ruptures
- Chronic tendinosis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint injuries
- Cosmetic procedures- hair loss due to alopecia or male and female pattern baldness.
Risks of PRP injections are very limited since it contains substances (plasma) directly from your own blood. Some potential side effects from injecting a substance into the skin includes:
- Nerve injuries
- Infection
- Pain accompanied by swelling and bruising at the injection site
- Tissue damage
Disclaimer
The contents contained within this page are not a substitute for health professionals’ advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We advise that you seek advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner. We fully disclose that any surgical or invasive procedures come with risks. PCC can help arrange further discussions–please discuss this with us.