PRP Injections

PRP Injections

What are PRP injections?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a type of regenerative medicine. Your blood is primarily liquid, but it also contains microscopic solids: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Platelets help your blood clot, preventing excess bleeding, but they also contain growth factors. Highly concentrated levels of these growth factors contain healing properties. When injected into a damaged or injured joint, they increase blood flow to the injection site, supporting your body’s healing mechanism.

What are some of the conditions that PRP injections treat?

At Spruce Health Group, the team uses PRP injections to treat a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses, including:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tendon injuries
  • Ankle pain
  • Elbow pain
  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Wrist pain

You might also benefit from PRP injections following orthopedic surgery or a sports injury. If you tear a tendon or ligament, PRP injections can limit swelling and discomfort, while speeding up your recovery.

The team also uses PRP for anti-aging. Using FDA-cleared cellular regenerative therapy or PRP, it’s possible to increase elasticity and rejuvenation throughout your body. This can make your skin look younger, healthier, and more vibrant.

What happens during a PRP appointment?

A PRP appointment begins with a comprehensive physical exam, a discussion of your symptoms and lifestyle, and a review of your medical history. After gathering this information, your Spruce Health Group provider draws a sample of your blood.

Your provider places your blood into a machine called a centrifuge that spins around rapidly, separating your plasma from your red blood cells and creating a concentrated platelet solution. Once the centrifuge finishes spinning, your provider re-injects the plasma solution into a damaged or diseased joint, such as a knee, shoulder, or wrist.

Once the concentrated plasma solution enters the target area, it works to ease pain, and encourage healing.

Are PRP injections painful?

PRP injections are safe and well-tolerated. If you have a low pain tolerance, make sure to let your Spruce Health Group provider know. They can apply a topical numbing cream to your joint prior to your injections, or they can mix the PRP solution with an injectable painkiller like lidocaine.

Side effects are rare because PRP uses your blood. Your provider will give you a list of recovery instructions to limit your risk of potential complications.

If you’re interested in learning more, schedule an appointment at Spruce Health Group. Call the nearest office and speak with a team member, or book a consultation online today.