What is PRP Treatment Good For?

More and more, platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment is being relied upon to treat aches and pains in people of varying ages. But what does it do exactly, and is it really that effective? Let’s take a closer look.

PRP Treatment Basics

PRP treatment, also referred to as PRP injections and PRP therapy, leverages the patient’s own blood cells to promote healing in damaged tissues. It’s essentially a biological boost! Blood contains platelets that are rich in growth factors—special proteins that play a key role in the body’s healing process. PRP therapy works by collecting these growth factors, concentrating them for maximum potency, and injecting them directly into an injured area to stimulate natural restorative mechanisms and potentially accelerate healing.

The PRP treatment process usually lasts about 30 minutes. It involves taking a blood sample from the patient, which is then processed in a machine called a centrifuge to separate growth factors from other components of the blood. After the sample is concentrated, it contains about five to 10 times more growth factors than normal blood.

PRP therapy is sometimes used to help treat musculoskeletal problems like:

Rotator cuff tears
Achilles tendonitis
Tennis elbow
Golfer’s elbow
Meniscus injuries
Patellar tendinitis
Pulled hamstrings
Knee sprains
Muscle injuries
Arthritis-related pain

PRP treatment may also be given after surgery on an injured tissue, such as a torn tendon, to help facilitate recovery. It usually takes a few weeks for patients to experience noticeable results following treatment.

PRP therapy is widely considered to be a safe treatment with minimal side effects, as the patient’s own blood is used and it does not involve strong drugs or medications. The most common side effects are temporary pain and bruising at the injection site.

Surprisingly, PRP’s uses aren’t solely orthopedic. It’s also given to help treat a form of hair loss called androgenic alopecia, and some even use PRP to enhance their complexion during “vampire facials.”

Our Approach to PRP Treatment

While you can’t get a facial at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group, you can receive expert musculoskeletal care from board-certified physicians who are trusted to treat our area’s finest professional athletes. Our practice is led by orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Daniel Murphy—a doctor on the medical staffs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Yankees—and sports medicine physician Dr. Arnold Ramirez—a team doctor for the Buccaneers.

Patients at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group (a division of Florida Medical Clinic) benefit from the world-class expertise of our physicians as well as personalized, attentive care that ensures they achieve the best outcomes possible. In addition to PRP treatment, we’re also pleased to offer progressive therapies such as stem cell treatment, viscosupplementation, and minimally invasive procedures.