Platelet Rich Plasma

WHAT IS PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) uses your own blood, placed in a centrifuge and Plasma with Platelets extracted from the vacuum-tube and injected into joints that need rejuvenation or tendon tears that require healing. Platelets release a number of growth factors which promote healing.

WHAT DOES THE PROCESS INVOLVE?

After assessing you, a doctor or nurse will take your blood, spin it in a centrifuge and collect he PRP component.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is activated under a light. Then PRP is injected directly into the site of injury. The process will take around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Local anesthetic is injected 10 minutes before or at the same time with PRP injection.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The growth factors and platelets in the plasma promote cells to multiply and form new tissue accelerating and enhancing the healing process.

PRP contains a much higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. This means that higher concentrations of growth factors are being released into the injured area.

WHAT CAN BE TREATED WITH PRP?

Osteoarthritis and joints
Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries
(including tennis or golfer’s elbow) and Achilles tendons and shoulder tears
Degenerative knee conditions
Rotator cuff tear

PLEASE NOTE

PRP is taken from you own blood, and there are no risks of disease transmission or allergic reactions.

Sometimes PRP may aggravate the inflammatory response, causing a temporary increase in pain and swelling of the treated area. There may also be a local pressure effect from the injection of the fluid. These effects should subside within a few hours to days. If the pain is severe, contact the doctor.

For treatment of joints, protocol is four treatments – 1 treatment each week for three weeks and a further session in three weeks followed by an annual top-up.

For soft tissue injuries such as tendon tears, treatment involves three treatments, two weeks apart.

Dr Cook

Dr. Cook has been treating patients with injured/degenerative musculoskeletal conditions with PRP – platelet rich plasma since 2012. The aim has been to REDUCE PAIN AND INCREASE FUNCTION.

FEES MAY BE TAX DEDUCTABLE IF YOU ARE SELF-EMPLOYED