Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a revolutionary treatment that can speed up the healing process, whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, healing from surgery, struggling with arthritis, or have pain from a soft tissue injury.
PRP is a concentrated form of a patient's own blood plasma that contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins. When a doctor injects PRP into an injured or damaged area, these platelets release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration processes.
Our team at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists uses PRP to treat tendon and ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, fractures, cartilage injuries, and rotator cuff tears. Read on to learn how PRP works and why it may just be the key to reducing your joint or tissue pain and expediting healing.
The growth factors present in PRP promote the formation of new blood vessels, which improves circulation to injured or diseased tissue. PRP treatments also attract stem cells to the injured site.
Stem cells are specialized cells that can morph into whatever type of cell necessary to promote healing and optimal function. With PRP treatment, your body also increases collagen production. Collagen is a major tissue protein that boosts strength and resilience.
Together, these actions accelerate healing by promoting cell proliferation, reduce inflammation, and improve tissue remodeling. Inflammation may be a natural response to injury, but when it becomes chronic, it can hinder healing.
PRP helps counteract inflammation, making room for your body to repair itself.
PRP has been shown to modulate the immune response, creating a balanced and optimal environment for healing. PRP injections make it so your body can better promote tissue repair.
PRP comes from a sample of your own blood. Typically, we take a simple blood draw from your arm and process the sample in a centrifuge machine. This machine spins it at high speeds, separating the blood into different components. Red blood cells settle at the bottom while the PRP rises to the top.
We then take the PRP and inject it into areas that need healing.
How soon you notice the results of PRP treatment depends on many factors, including your personal healing process, the condition being treated, and the extent of injury or damage.
Some patients notice improvements within just a few weeks. Typically, though, it takes several weeks or months for PRP to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
When we examine your injury, we can help you understand what to expect from PRP treatments.
Because PRP is derived from your own blood, your body won’t reject it. It contains no drugs or chemicals, meaning there’s little to no risk of adverse reactions or complications.
PRP's ability to harness the body's own healing potential makes it an effective and minimally invasive therapy for expediting the healing process.
Research has proven the safety of PRP for treatment of joint and tissue injuries.
From professional athletes to people seeking pain relief, PRP has attracted attention for its impressive results. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or managing chronic pain, PRP may be just the right therapy for you.
Our team here at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists may even recommend it after surgery to speed up your recovery.
Learn more about the transformative benefits of PRP therapy. Contact us at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists for an evaluation at our Bethesda, Rockville, or Germantown, Maryland, office. Call 301-515-0900 or set up an appointment here to find out how PRP can help you.
