Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is a cutting edge therapy used by many elite level athletes to assist in recovery from chronic injuries in tendons, ligaments and joints. It has shown to help improve pain and functioning in patients with a variety of orthopedic injuries including the Achilles tendon, elbow (tennis elbow), shoulder (rotator cuff). It has also shown some promise in improving pain associated with arthritis.
How Platelet Rich Plasma Injections Work
Platelets are a type of blood cell that help with forming blood clots and with healing injuries. PRP Therapy utilizes platelets harvested from a patient’s own blood to help heal damaged tissues. PRP can be done in our office and generally takes about one hour. Blood is drawn from the patient and then processed to separate out the platelets. The PRP is then injected, often under ultrasound guidance, into the area of tissue damage.
What To Expect After The PRP Injection
What To Expect After The PRP InjectionFollowing the injection, patients can expect to experience soreness for several days. Following a period of rest, patients work with physical therapy to continue rehabilitation. Many people notice benefit within about 3 months, but some patients may require multiple PRP treatments and some will not notice any significant benefit.
Let The Best Orthopedic Doctors In Atlanta Help
If you are interested in this exciting and effective therapy from the Family Practice Center to help get you back to the activities that you love, please schedule an appointment with our sports medicine physician, Dr. Tyler Wheeler