What does PRP therapy treat?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an innovative treatment that can improve range of motion and reduce pain in people who deal with arthritis. Dr. Parsa also uses PRP therapy for treating conditions such as tennis elbow, tendon inflammation, partial ligament and tendon tears, and partial ulnar collateral ligament tears.
What should I expect during PRP therapy?
Dr. Parsa performs the two-part procedure in a comfortable office environment. First, she collects a small amount of your blood, which she places in a centrifuge. The high-speed spinning of the centrifuge separates the platelet-rich plasma from the other parts of your blood.
The second part of the therapy involves reinjecting the plasma into the treatment area. Typically, treatment lasts only about 30 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities following the procedure.
How does PRP therapy work?
By injecting platelet-rich plasma into the arthritic or injured area, your body receives a higher concentration of blood platelets than your blood typically offers. These platelets promote the regeneration of tissue to trigger the natural healing process.
PRP therapy can hasten repair of tendons, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and bone due damaged by injury or disease. This treatment can also:
- Decrease pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Slow down the progression of arthritis
- Increase lubricating fluid in the joint
Can PRP therapy prevent Tommy John surgery?
Tommy John surgery, named for a professional baseball pitcher who was among the first to be treated with the procedure, is effective in repairing tears in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow, an injury now commonly treated among baseball pitchers. For those who don’t want to pursue surgery to repair UCL tears, PRP therapy may help you put off the surgery or avoid it altogether.
Platelet-rich plasma can help regenerate the UCL, repairing the tears without the need for surgical intervention.
Am I a good candidate for PRP treatment?
Dr. Parsa evaluates your medical history and performs a physical examination to determine if PRP therapy can help your specific injury.
You may be a good candidate for this type of treatment if other approaches haven’t relieved the pain and immobility of arthritis, but you’re not ready to consider joint replacement surgery.
To find out if PRP therapy is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Parsa online or by phone.
Publications
Am J Sports Med-2016-Smith (pdf)
PRPforkneeOA-2017-Cole (pdf)
Exercise PRP article (pdf)
