Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis; tendonitis; plantar fasciitis; or a knee, shoulder, ankle or elbow injury; you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is an exciting new treatment that both activates tissue regeneration and accelerates tissue repair following an injury or surgery. A multi-step process that is completed in one doctor’s visit, PRP involves 1) drawing a patient’s blood, 2) placing it in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the red blood cells, and 3) injecting the plasma solution back into the patient’s body at the site of the injury. The high concentration of platelets in the plasma solution creates a localized inflammatory reaction that stimulates the growth of new ligament and tendon fibers, cartilage, and bone. The PRP process replicates the body’s natural healing response where blood swells around an injured area of the body to protect it
and facilitate healing.
This new technique can help shorten the rehabilitation time following an injury or surgery and can often help patients to avoid surgery. Compared to surgery, the injection carries a substantially lower chance of infection and leaves no visible scar. The time required for preparing and injecting the plasma solution is about 50 minutes. The recovery period post-PRP is considerably shorter than post-surgery, and PRP is considerably less expensive than surgery.
Depending upon your particular circumstances, your Kaplan physician may utilize ultrasound technology before or during the PRP procedure.
To learn more about PRP and Diagnositic Ultrasound, please review the resources listed below:
Additional Resources:
Article: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy by David Wang, DO
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