Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a cutting-edge therapy that utilizes the body’s own healing power to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including sports-related injuries of the muscles, tendons and ligaments, and osteoarthritis. Platelet-rich plasma therapies have been used for various indications for over thirty years. For musculoskeletal conditions most patients can resume their work and activities immediately after treatment. In some cases, PRP therapy is an alternative to surgery.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Platelets are best known for their blood clotting ability, but they are a natural reservoir of hundreds of biologically active proteins called growth factors that play a key role in wound healing and tissue repair. When there is an injury or inflammation, platelets flood the area to stop bleeding, and heal damaged tissues.

Platelet – rich plasma is a solution made by concentrating platelets, and growth factors to increase potency many times more than whole blood. PRP has both anti-inflammatory properties and for some conditions such as muscle injuries may contribute to the healing process.

How is platelet-rich plasma made?

A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood cells in order to increase platelet concentrations. The concentrated platelets and growth factors are injected at the site of patient’s injury or damage such as into an arthritic joint, or into the zone of muscle damage following a sporting injury.

Is PRP therapy safe?

PRP therapy is very safe with a low incidence of adverse events.  The most common side effects include temporary pain and discomfort at the site of the injection which subsides after several days.  Because PRP is derived from your own blood and is minimally manipulated, the risk of adverse reactions remains low.

What are the applications for platelet rich plasma therapy?

PRP has found a wide range of applications in orthopedics, making it a valuable treatment option for various musculoskeletal conditions. Here are some of the key orthopedic applications of PRP:

• Osteoarthritis: PRP is increasingly used to manage osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and limited mobility. Injections of PRP into arthritic joints can reduce pain, improve function, and potentially slow down the progression of the disease.
• Tendon Injuries: Tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and rotator cuff tears, can be treated with PRP injections. PRP helps stimulate tendon healing, reduce pain, and improve tendon strength.
• Muscle Injuries: PRP has shown promise in treating muscle injuries, such as strains and tears. It can accelerate muscle repair and reduce the time required for athletes to return to sports. An example of this is for hamstring and calf injuries in sprinting athletes.

What are the benefits of platelet rich plasma therapy?

• Pain relief
• Decreased inflammation
• Tissue healing in some micro-environments (e.g. muscle tears)
• Restoration of function

Types of PRP injections offered

• NStride
• Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP)
• ACP Max

Contact Hyper Regen Sports Medicine in Toronto, Canada to schedule a consultation to learn more.

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Resources

• Degen RM, Hiemstra LA, Lobo J, Woodmass JM, Sommerfeldt M, Khan M, Carsen S, Pauyo T, Chahal J, Urquhart N, Grant J, Rousseau-Saine A, Lebel ME, Sheehan B, Sandman E, Tucker A, Kopka M, Wong I. Arthroscopy Association of Canada Position Statement on Intra-articular Injections for Hip Osteoarthritis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Feb 7;10(2):23259671211066966. doi: 10.1177/23259671211066966. PMID: 35155702; PMCID: PMC8832617.
• Everts P, Onishi K, Jayaram P, Lana JF, Mautner K. Platelet-Rich Plasma: New Performance Understandings and Therapeutic Considerations in 2020. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Oct 21;21(20):7794. doi: 10.3390/ijms21207794. PMID: 33096812; PMCID: PMC7589810.
• Shyla Gupta, Anna Paliczak & Diego Delgado (2021) Evidence-based indications of platelet-rich plasma therapy, Expert Review of Hematology, 14:1, 97-108, DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1860002