Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections: The Process

Platelet-rich plasma is a form of regenerative medicine that is minimally invasive with the potential to help your body to heal faster using its own blood cells. While it is still a relatively new type of therapy in our area, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is offering more than just pain relief; it has the potential to promote healing, which allows for long-term benefits that other pain management injections cannot offer.

For the best results, patients should stay hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of your PRP injection. As per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, patients are advised to discontinue certain medications prior to a PRP injection.

• Avoid corticosteroid medications for two to three weeks prior to PRP injection
• Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for one week prior to PRP injection
• Stop taking arthritis medications for one week prior to PRP injection
• Do not take anticoagulation medication for the five days prior to PRP injection

Any medication changes will be discussed with you during your consultation with the physician. Please do not discontinue any medications you may be taking unless directly advised by your physician.

Typically, a single PRP injection can take between 45 and 90 minutes. This is because the patient’s own blood needs to be drawn and prepared for the injection. While yes, it is your own blood cells that are being used, there is still a process behind these injections.

1. Blood is drawn from your arm into a syringe.
2. Your blood is processed using a centrifuge to separate the platelets into the plasma.
3. Your doctor will prepare the centrifuge platelet-rich plasma for your injection.
4. The surface of your affected area will be cleaned with a disinfectant (such as iodine or alcohol).
5. Your doctor will then utilize the imaging device or machine to get a real-time image of your affected area.
6. The doctor will ask you to relax, allowing the injection to be less painful.
7. Your doctor will insert the needle with your platelet-rich plasma into the affected area.
8. The needle is removed, and the injection site is cleaned and bandaged.

Platelet-rich plasma is a form of regenerative medicine that is minimally invasive with the potential to help your body to heal faster using its own blood cells. While it is still a relatively new type of therapy in our area, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is offering more than just pain relief;  it has the potential to promote healing, which allows for long-term benefits that other pain management injections cannot offer.

It is common for some inflammation to occur at the injection site for three to five days after the injection, but most patients experience little to no pain beyond a week. PRP injections can commonly trigger a biological response, resulting in temporary symptoms such as inflammation, pain, and swelling. It is recommended that patients take it easy for a few days following their PRP injection, but recovery time will vary from patient to patient.
In most cases, patients can return to work the next day!

If swelling or discomfort does occur, daily activities can resume once they decrease. Your doctor may have additional instructions that will best suit your needs following the injection as well. In most cases, physical therapy will be advised to help to strengthen the affected area. Each patient may react differently to a PRP injection process due to their own sensitivity and pain tolerance, the area of the injury or pain, and also the severity of the inflammation or disease. It is important to mention that just as every person’s pain is different, it is difficult to definitively know how long before results may be seen.

PRP Therapy in NEPA

At Northeast Knee and Joint Institute, we have seen patients at both of our Dallas and Williamsport offices that have traveled from all around Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Tri-State area for our PRP Therapy! This therapy option has had many favorable results for many of our patients.