What Is PRP?
Plasma is a component of your blood that contains unique "factors," or proteins, that help your blood to clot. It also contains proteins that support cell growth. Researchers have produced PRP by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it.
The concept is that injecting PRP into damaged tissues will trigger your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote healing. Since the tissue growth factors are more concentrated in the prepared growth injections, researchers believe the body's tissues may heal faster.
What are the purposes of PRP injections?
Scientists are trying PRP injections across a variety of applications. Examples of these include:
- Hair loss– Doctors have injected PRP into the scalp to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. According to research from 2014, PRP injections are effective in treating androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
- Tendon injuries– Tendons are tough, thick bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. They are usually slow to heal after injury. Doctors have used PRP injections to treat chronic tendon issues, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and jumper's knee, which produces pain in the patellar tendon in the knee.
- Acute injuries– Physicians have used PRP injections to treat acute sports injuries, such as pulled hamstring muscles or knee sprains.
- Postsurgical repair. Sometimes doctors use PRP injections after surgery to fix a torn tendon (such as a rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder) or ligaments (such as the anterior cruciate ligament).
- Osteoarthritis– PRP injections in the knee might help individuals with osteoarthritis. A 2015 study discovered that PRP injections were more effective than hyaluronic acid injections (a traditional treatment) for treating osteoarthritis. However, the trial was a small group of 160 people, so larger trials are needed for this to be conclusive.
How do you prepare for PRP injections?
There are few steps to preparing for PRP injections. These steps depend on how you get PRP.
PRP can be injected in different ways. For example, occasionally a topical numbing lidocaine solution is applied to your scalp prior to injection. You may need to arrive early to a therapy session if this is the case.
Other times, a local anesthetic is mixed with the PRP to reduce any discomfort. In Some Cases, Dr. Williamson will inject or apply PRP during surgery. In this instance, preparation for PRP injections would include following your surgeon's recommendations before surgery.
You'll likely need to stop taking particular medications that thin your blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen, before you receive PRP injections. You may also have to take a break from particular vitamins or supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Dr. Williamson can advise you precisely what you need to do to prepare for these shots.
PRP does not typically lead to major side effects. But since it includes drawing blood, if Dr. Williamson suggests it - you'll want to be sure you eat before the procedure. That will help you avoid feeling lightheaded when you receive PRP injections.
You can not get PRP injections if you have:
- Abnormal platelet function or a low platelet count
- Anemia
- Cancer
- An infection
- PRP injection procedure
Here's what to anticipate from a normal PRP injection procedure:
- A healthcare professional will draw a sample of your blood. The amount of the sample depends on where the PRP will be injected. For instance, the amount of blood taken for injection into the scalp for one study was 20 milliliters. This is a little larger than one teaspoon.
- The blood is placed into a centrifuge. This device spins around very quickly, causing the blood components to separate. The separation process takes about 15 minutes.
- A technologist takes the separated plasma and prepares it for injection into the affected area.
- Physicians will often utilize imaging, such as ultrasound, to determine specific areas for injection, such as the tendon. Dr. Williamson will then inject the PRP into the affected area.
What are the potential side effects of PRP?
Since PRP involves injecting a substance into the skin, there are possible side effects.
PRP is autologous, which means it includes substances that come straight from your own body. This lowers the risks for an allergic reaction that can happen from injecting other medications, such as cortisone or hyaluronic acid. Nevertheless, there are risks from the injection itself, including:
- infection
- nerve injuries
- pain at the injection site
- tissue damage
You should go over these potential risks with Dr. Williamson, in addition to the steps they will take to minimize these risks.
What is the recovery time for PRP injections?
When PRP is injected after an injury, Dr. Williamson might recommend that you rest the affected area. However, these recommendations are more related to the injury and less to the PRP injections. Most people can continue their daily activities following PRP injections.
Since PRP injections are meant to promote healing or growth, you might not notice an immediate difference after receiving the injections. However, in a few weeks or months, the area might begin healing quicker or growing more hair than you would have expected if you hadn't gotten PRP injections.
For more information about Dr. Linette's practice and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in Carlsbad, California, contact us at 760-875-2627 or visit our website at LinetteWilliamson.com and schedule your appointment today!
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