TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that harnesses the power of your body's own natural healing abilities. By concentrating platelets from your blood and injecting them into an injured area, PRP can accelerate the repair of damaged joints, tendons, and ligaments, leading to a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
A PRP procedure is a simple three-step process performed during a single office visit. It begins with a standard blood draw from your arm, just like a routine lab test. This blood sample is then placed into a specialized centrifuge machine.
The centrifuge spins the blood at extremely high speeds, separating it into distinct layers. This process allows us to isolate and extract the platelet-rich plasma, concentrating the powerful healing proteins and growth factors into a small, injectable volume.
After numbing the treatment area, your physician will use live ultrasound guidance to ensure the utmost precision. While watching the ultrasound screen, the prepared PRP is carefully injected directly into the target tissue—such as an arthritic joint space, a damaged tendon, or an inflamed ligament—to initiate and accelerate the body's natural healing cascade.
TREATMENT ADVANTAGES
By focusing on healing the underlying injury rather than just masking symptoms, PRP therapy offers a safe, natural, and minimally invasive alternative to long-term medication or surgery.
The high concentration of growth factors in PRP acts as a powerful signal, recruiting your body's own repair cells to regenerate damaged tissue.
Because PRP is created from your own blood, there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction, rejection, or disease transmission.
While initially causing inflammation, PRP ultimately helps to regulate the inflammatory process, leading to a long-term reduction in chronic pain and swelling.
As the targeted tissues heal and become stronger, patients often experience significant, lasting improvements in joint stability, mobility, and overall function.
PRP therapy can effectively treat many conditions that might otherwise require major surgery, such as partial tendon tears or moderate osteoarthritis.
PRP can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including knee arthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Because PRP uses your own blood, it is an extremely safe procedure with a very low risk of complications. The most common side effects are a normal and expected part of the healing process.
Important: You will be instructed to AVOID anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen) for a period before and after your procedure, as they can interfere with the healing process that PRP stimulates.
PREPARATION GUIDE
Proper preparation is key to a successful and smooth procedure. Please review the following important steps to ensure you are ready for your appointment.
Ensure you have a thorough review with Dr. Fura. Disclose all allergies, especially to medications like contrast dye.
Stop blood thinners and other specific medications as instructed by Dr. Fura before your procedure.
Do not eat or drink after midnight. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home afterward.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Avoid jewelry and leave valuables at home for safekeeping.
RECOVERY GUIDE
Recovery from PRP is a healing process. Expect some initial discomfort followed by a gradual but significant improvement as your body repairs the damaged tissue.
Expect increased soreness, stiffness, and swelling. This is a normal inflammatory response and a sign that the healing process has begun. Use ice and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for comfort, but AVOID anti-inflammatory NSAIDs.
Rest the treated area and avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting. Depending on the injection site, you may be advised to use a brace or crutches to protect the healing tissue.
The initial soreness will subside. You will typically begin a prescribed physical therapy program to gradually strengthen the healing tissue and restore your range of motion.
The full benefits of PRP are gradual and can continue to improve for several months. Follow-up appointments will monitor your progress. A series of injections may be recommended for optimal results.
Please don't hesitate to reach out and request an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you, addressing your concerns, and working together to enhance your quality of life.