PRP and Rehab
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a non-surgical treatment of various injuries that have shown to support healing in a shorter amount of time with less pain. PRP is simply blood that contains more platelets than normal. Platelets are part of the blood that contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and can stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in a treated area. (Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections, 2023).
PRP combined with physical therapy has shown to reduce trauma and regenerate an injured area without surgery and reduced rehabilitation time. A common area PRP is used for is rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy. 86 percent of all shoulder pain comes from rotator cuff lesions (Pithadia, 2021).
The procedure for PRP injections is done in one day, the extraction of blood and the injection of plasma is done just an hour apart. Once the desired concentration of platelets is reached through a centrifuge, the injection is administered. Since this procedure is done with your own cells and blood, there are no adverse reactions or allergic reactions. There will be injection site soreness and inflammation response at the site which is the reaction that is expected and wanted.
After PRP injections, starting or resuming a physical therapy program can be helpful. Physical therapy after injection helps increase pain free range of motion, mobility through the joint and strength to support the joint. Usually full results are expected anywhere from 4-6 weeks even up to 10 weeks after injection.
So if a conservative approach to an injury including physical therapy, reduced activity, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories does not work to reduce pain, then maybe a PRP option might be right if you are still looking at a non-surgical approach.
A Regenexx patient was asked about her procedure and how she felt about it and she stated ‘looking over it all, compared to replacements, it was a lot easier because it was over fast. It wasn’t taking 6 weeks for the pain to go from extreme to moderate.” (Patient Testimonials, regenexx.com)
For more information on PRP treatment follow these sites: