For the better part of 75 years, plasma has been used to help patients facing life-threatening conditions such as immune deficiency disorders and organ transplantation. For that reason, plasma is often referred to as “the gift of life.”[i]
More recently, however, physicians have discovered how they can use a patient’s own plasma—not donated plasma—to improve recovery from orthopedic injuries. Platelet Rich Plasma treatments use the healing power of platelets in a patient’s own blood to harness proteins (growth factors) that are essential for healing.
How Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment Works
Blood plasma consists of several elements, including red cells, white cells and platelets. Platelets contain hormones, electrolytes and nutrients that are needed to nourish cells during the healing process.
During platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment, the patient’s own blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge which separates and concentrates the platelets. This results in plasma that contains up to 3-10 times more platelets than what is typically found in blood.[ii] With its super-charged healing capabilities, platelet rich plasma can be used to treat a number of orthopedic conditions, including:
- Joint arthritis (knee, hip, shoulder, or hand)
- Injuries to joint supporting structures: rotator cuffs, the meniscus or labrum
- Injuries to tendons: like Achilles tendon or tennis elbow
- Ligament sprains in the wrist, ankle or sacroiliac joints
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Herniated discs, mild spinal stenosis and sciatica
Not All PRP Treatments Are the Same
When it comes to platelet rich plasma treatment, one size does not fit all. When this type of treatment is not effective—even after multiple treatments—it can often be attributed to several factors:
- The patient received an incorrect initial diagnosis of the condition or injury.
- The PRP treatment did not use ultrasound guidance for targeted delivery to the injured tissues.
- The PRP formulation was not customized to the specific joints, tendons, muscles or nerves being treated.
- The initial injury was too severe and PRP treatment should not have been recommended.
Yet when delivered correctly, in the right formulation for the specific injury and with the right concentration of healing factors, most patients begin to experience results within 1-3 months after treatment.
PRP treatments are performed on an out-patient basis in the physician’s office. There is no need for hospitalization or lengthy rehab. The entire procedure takes just a few hours.
Dr. Mark Hawass is certified in Chronic Pain Management and has more than 25 years of clinical experience. He specializes in the non-surgical treatment of joint arthritis. Dr. Hawass uses new approaches for the treatment of osteoarthritis which provide a safe and viable alternative to steroid injections and surgery in certain patient populations.
[i] https://www.donatingplasma.org/donation/what-is-plasma
[ii] https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/platelet-rich-plasma-prp