What is PRP and what is it used for?
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, uses your own blood to help heal injuries and support tissue repair. Platelets are separated from other blood cells in an in-house lab and injected into the injured area. PRP is used for osteoarthritis, ligament, tendon, muscle and joint injuries, sports injuries and hair loss, with little to no downtime.
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma injections, have grown in popularity over the past several years. At the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, we have always been at the forefront of the latest technology surrounding PRP procedures. Because of this, we decided to provide a resource to help potential patients better understand this treatment method. If you’re interested, we recently published a detailed PRP webinar where we share much of the information covered in this blog. Watch this webinar to learn more about our practice and our Board-Certified physicians who oversee and perform every PRP procedure.
What is PRP?
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a treatment option that uses an individual’s blood to help heal injuries and rebuild damaged tissue. PRP is created by separating platelets from an individual’s other blood cells. This newly separated PRP is injected into an injured area of the body to promote healing and tissue regeneration. To plan ahead, read our guide to PRP treatment cost in Michigan.
Common Uses of PRP
PRP injections are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries, some of which include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament, Tendon, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Hair Loss
- Sports-Related Injuries
What To Expect From a PRP Procedure
A PRP procedure begins with a blood draw. We remove a small amount of blood and have our in-house regenerative medicine lab process it to separate the plasma and platelets from the rest of the blood. We then take this platelet-enriched blood and inject it back into your injured area.
Benefits of PRP
There are a whole host of benefits of PRP, some of which include:
- Limited Downtime – There is little to no downtime after a PRP injection. We may suggest you take it easy for a short time, but the downtime associated with a PRP procedure is minimal.
- You Help Heal Your Own Body –When you choose PRP therapy, you’re choosing a treatment approach that uses your own cells to help rebuild or repair an area where you’re experiencing pain. This is much different than other medical approaches requiring complex surgeries or medications.
- Recover Faster – PRP helps patients recover faster from various musculoskeletal injuries. Whether you’re an athlete with a sports injury or someone dealing with common musculoskeletal injuries like strains, sprains, muscle tears, joint pain, or tendinitis, PRP could be a good option for you.
- Minimally Invasive – PRP treatments start with a simple blood draw and end with a quick injection into your affected area. These procedures are minimally invasive and can all be done in our modern regenerative medicine clinic in Rochester, MI.
Why Choose The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine For PRP Therapy?
Choosing a reputable clinic to perform your PRP procedure is critical. Below are a few reasons why The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine should be your first call when you want to learn more about the many benefits of PRP therapy.
- In-House Regenerative Medicine Lab – The doctors at The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine have invested in a modern lab that allows us to process our own PRP and track what is being injected into our patients. Most PRP clinics use a tabletop centrifuge, which does not offer near the concentration of our in-house lab. This increased concentration makes a big difference regarding the positive outcomes of our treatments.
- Data Tracking – Our in-house equipment can precisely track how many cells we inject to help support the best possible outcomes. This data is stored in a database that allows us to track patient outcomes over time, allowing us to further improve our PRP therapy techniques.
- Board-Certified Physicians – Our Board-Certified physicians have additional certifications in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. This certification ensures the injected cells are placed in the best possible spot within your damaged tissue, giving you the best chance at a positive outcome.
How PRP Injections Work
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your blood components to deliver powerful healing and restoration where you need it most. The physician draws your blood and puts it in a centrifuge to extract platelets. These platelets have strong healing proteins that can encourage tissue repair, hair follicle stimulation, and much more. For pricing details, see what PRP therapy costs and what changes the total.
The physician uses ultrasound-guided technology to inject PRP into an injured area, which puts your body’s natural healing powers right where they’re needed most. The proteins stimulate regeneration to speed up healing and reduce pain.
Most patients need 1-3 rounds of PRP injections to achieve their desired results, but that largely depends on the application.
What Does PRP Treat?
PRP injections can treat a range of issues, ranging from muscle tears to osteoarthritis and beyond. PRP is most commonly associated with muscle pain treatment, acute muscle strains, chronic tendinopathies, and ligament injuries. However, researchers have found many new ways to use PRP injections, like restoring dormant hair follicles to thicken hair and reduce thinning.
Am I a Good Candidate for PRP?
PRP is considered safe for most patients because it does not involve the introduction of foreign bodies. The proteins are cultivated from your own blood, which your body is used to. However, you may not be a good candidate for PRP if you have a low platelet count, severe anemia, active cancer, abnormal platelet function, or some other conditions. We will ask strategic questions during your consultation to determine if PRP is right for you.
Could PRP therapy help on your healing journey?
PRP therapy is quickly gaining momentum and acceptance as a powerful treatment for sports-related and non-sports related injuries.
PRP can be a viable treatment for things like neck injuries, wound healing, back pain, cosmetic treatments, skincare, male and female intimate rejuvenation, joint conditions, muscle sprains and tears, and tendon and soft tissue issues like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and rotator cuff tears.
Unlike pain medication to mask the injury, or surgery, which can come with its own risks, complications and downtime, PRP therapy is fast and works to regenerate cells from the inside out.
During your treatment, your blood is drawn and then processed in a centrifuge. Our medical professionals then separate the red blood cels from the platelet-rich plasma. The red blood cells are discarded while the PRP is injected into the area at hand, releasing growth factors and stimulating cell reproduction.
This treatment triggers an inflammatory response to ignite the healing process and repair tissue.
Natural healing is an option
As a sought-after regenerative medicine clinic in the state, Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine is comprised of board-certified doctors and specialists whose goal is to help patients heal quicker and more effectively.
With modern regenerative medicine treatments, including PRP therapy, stem cell therapy, prolotherapy, nerve pain stimulation, electromyography testing, regenerative skin care, functional medicine and more, your treatment options are more plentiful – and more natural – at Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine.
No matter your age, injury or condition, athletic ability or goal, chances are, we could have a solution for you. Our patients are treated uniquely and provided a customized plan of treatment based on their own injury, concern, goals, health and lifestyle.
Call today for your consultation and learn how natural healing with your body’s PRP could work for you.
More Questions Patients Ask
How do PRP injections work?
PRP injections use platelets from your own blood to support healing. A physician draws your blood, spins it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, then uses ultrasound guidance to inject them into the injured area. PRP is often used for muscle strains, tendon and ligament injuries, and osteoarthritis. Many patients notice some improvement within 2 to 6 weeks.
How does platelet-rich plasma work to heal?
PRP therapy uses platelet-rich plasma from your own blood. Blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge, red blood cells are removed, and the PRP is injected into the injured area, releasing growth factors that trigger healing. It may help neck and back pain, joint conditions, muscle tears, tendon issues like tennis elbow, and some skin concerns.
Ready to Schedule a Consultation With One of Our Doctors Regarding PRP Injections?
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of PRP and determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure, call our office today at 248-216-1008 to set up a consultation with one of our experienced physicians. We look forward to hearing about your condition and working alongside you to develop a treatment plan that will help you get back to living a normal life as soon as possible.
By Board-certified Doctor John Santa Ana, DO
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