What is PRP and How Does it Help?

International Spine, Pain & Performance Center Blog What is PRP and How Does it Help?
What is PRP and How Does it Help?

Interventional orthopedics 一 a highly specialized branch of medicine that focuses on regenerative care 一 promotes healing, improves function, and improves performance in those with back pain, joint issues, and wounds. 

As interventional orthopedists, our team of providers here at International Spine, Pain & Performance Center prides itself on offering cutting-edge regenerative therapies such as stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies. 

Below, our team takes a closer look at PRP and how it can potentially help you.

Understanding the components of PRP

PRP is an injection that is made from your own blood. Your blood already contains plasma and platelets, but PRP injections contain high concentrations of platelets 一 and that’s a key part of this treatment. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood and makes up 55% of your blood. Its job is to carry nutrients, enzymes, proteins, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets throughout your blood vessels. Thrombocytes (more often called platelets) are small and colorless cells. Platelets also contain growth factors and secretory proteins that help form clots in order to stop and/or prevent bleeding. 

How do PRP injections work?

PRP injections harness the power of platelets by concentrating them. To do this, the team at International Spine Pain & Performance Center takes a small sample of your own blood. This experience is much like donating blood or getting a blood test done. One quick pinch, and it’s done. After the blood sample is collected, it’s placed into a centrifuge where the various components of your blood are separated. This allows us to collect the platelets.

Once the injection is prepared, we administer it at the affected site. Because the platelets are rich in healing and growth factors, each PRP injection encourages your body to grow new, healthy cells, facilitating the healing process. 

What conditions does PRP help?

PRP injections have a place in both cosmetic and medical settings. PRP injections are often incorporated into hair restorations and facials, but PRP really shines in when it comes to healing injuries. Here at International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, we offer PRP therapy to help with:

PRP Researchers found that PRP is more effective for treating osteoarthritis than hyaluronic acid injections. PRP treatments can complement other treatments 一 such as physical therapy 一 for a more comprehensive and multimodal treatment.

Exploring your options: Is PRP right for you?

If you’d like to learn more about your interventional orthopedic options, give us a call to set up your consultation. We review your health history and your symptoms related to your injury or musculoskeletal condition. In addition to PRP therapy, we also offer stem cell therapy and IV infusions, so even if PRP isn’t right for you, our team of experts is ready to help you find your path forward. You can reach us by calling one of our three locations or requesting an appointment online.

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