<h4>PRP Platelet Rich Plasma</h4>

Have you been told you need joint surgery? Then imagine for a moment that you can avoid joint surgery with a few simple injections. <strong>PRP Treatments</strong> (also known as PRP Injections, PRP Therapy or PRP Prolotherapy) is a treatment for acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury or pain that can help you avoid the pain, complications and recovery time associated with joint surgery.

<h4>Why Does PRP Treatment Work?</h4>
<img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/running.jpg" alt="Running"  class="alignright size-full wp-image-642" />Your blood platelets contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the injury site. Concentrated platelets contain large reservoirs of growth factors that have the potential to greatly accelerate the normal healing process, naturally. The use of concentrated growth factors is considered by many to be an exciting and new cutting edge therapy that can stimulate tissue repair, and regenerate weakened torn or damaged ligaments, ligaments and joints.

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<h4>PRP Treatment vs Dextrose Prolotherapy Treatment</h4>
The main difference between PRP Prolotherapy treatment and <a href="/regenerative-techniques/dextrose-prolotherapy/prolotherapy-treatment-overview/">dextrose Prolotherapy</a> treatment is the solution being used. Dextrose Prolotherapy involves the injection of a proliferant (a mild irritant solution – dextrose, phenol, glycerin, etc.) that causes an inflammatory response which stimulates the healing process. By contrast, the PRP treatment solution is derived from your own blood.  A small amount of your own blood is drawn, and after filtering out the rest of the cells and plasma, a small amount of platelets remain. This  highly concentrated  amount of platelets — from 7 to 10 times that of normal blood — can be injected into the damaged areas and catalyze the growth of new soft-tissue.

Blood platelets contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the injury site. Concentrated platelets contain large reservoirs of growth factors that have the potential to greatly accelerate the normal healing process, naturally.

The use of concentrated growth factors is considered by many to be an exciting and new cutting edge therapy that can stimulate tissue repair, and regenerate weakened torn or damaged ligaments, ligaments and joints.
<h4>Which Treatment is Right For Me?</h4>
Most organizations, and the physicians associated with them, that teach Prolotherapy and PRP agree that <a href="/regenerative-techniques/dextrose-prolotherapy/prolotherapy-treatment-overview/">Prolotherapy</a> should be tried first.

<ul>
 	<li><strong>It is less painful.</strong></li>
 	<li><strong>It primes the area that is damaged,  which PRP does not.
</strong></li>
 	<li><strong>It is less expensive</strong></li>
</ul>
Since Prolotherapy can usually fix at least 80 - 85% of injuries, it is the first best choice. If healing is not attained with Prolotherapy, then PRP would be your next logical choice.

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<h4>PRP Treatment Frequently Asked Questions</h4>
<h6><strong>What is PRP Treatment?</strong></h6>
PRP as used in regenerative orthopedics is a non-surgical healing treatment for healing soft tissue. PRP is injected into the affected region to stimulate and enhance healing. PRP is your own blood concentrated so that more platelets (AKA growth factors) that are normally found in your blood are obtained.

<h6>What does PRP mean?</h6>
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood which contains cellular components such as red cells, white blood cells and platelets. The Harvest method that Dr Fields uses concentrates the platelets 7-10 times of what is normally found in blood. Other systems concentrate them, but to a lesser extent.

<h6>What conditions are treated with PRP?</h6>
Weakened torn or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscle tears, menisci or labrums are the most common soft tissue structures that are treated. PRP has also been effective in treating arthritis.

<img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fully_body_joints.jpg" alt="Fully Body Joints" width="200" height="376" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-712" /><h6>What are some common diagnoses treated with PRP?</h6>
<ul>
 	<li>Knees: meniscus, ACL, MCL LCL, arthritis, knee cap instability</li>
 	<li>Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Tears, labrum tears, tenositis</li>
 	<li>Hip: labrum, tenositis, Bursitis</li>
 	<li>Low Back: Facet joints, arthritis, Sacro-Iliac dysfunction</li>
 	<li>Ankle/Foot: Achilles dysfunction, tendonitis, arthritis, ankle sprains</li>
 	<li>Wrist/Hand finger/joint tendinitis, ligament tears, arthritis, carpel tunnel</li>
 	<li>Elbow: Tennis elbow (later epicondylitis, golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis</li>
</ul>
<h6>How is PRP treatment administered?</h6>
The patient’s blood is collected and then spun in a centrifuge specifically designed to concentrate platelets. Second a local anesthetic is provided to the affected region. The PRP is then injected into the affected area.

<h6>Is PRP curative?</h6>
PRP actually heals the injured region. Unlike pharmaceutical medications like ibuprofen or cortisone which just take the pain away but do not heal the injury.

<h6>How does PRP work to heal?</h6>
Growth Factors are released from large quantities of activated platelets at the site of injury. This leads to a reaction that initiates a healing cascade. Growth factors stimulate promote stimulate healing of weakened, torn or damaged soft tissue such as tendons, ligaments, meniscus or labrum.

<h6>Is PRP painful?</h6>
Patients typically tolerate the procedure well although post-injection soreness is sometime experienced.

<h6>How many PRP treatments do you need?</h6>
Two to four treatments depending on the degree of injury and how long the injury has been there.

<h6>How far apart are PRP treatments spaced?</h6>
Typically about every 6 weeks if indicated.<img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/couple1.jpg" alt="Couple1"  class="alignright size-full wp-image-644" />

<h6>What can you expect after getting PRP?</h6>
For the first 48 hours, swelling and mild discomfort are typical in the injected area. Therefore, all patients are provided with pain medicine after PRP. By day 3, these symptoms will begin to substantially resolve.

<h6>Are there side effects/complications of PRP?</h6>
Minimal side effects have been observed with treatment. Any stiffness or discomfort reported after PRP should resolve with time.

<h6>How long does it take the PRP to “work”?</h6>
Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2-6 weeks after PRP treatment. Symptom improvement is slow and subtle as days and weeks pass, with usual report of original pain being lessened over time. Increased endurance and strength are typically reported.

<h6>Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy in the News:</h6>
<ul>
 	<li><strong><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainNews/story?id=6895441&amp;page=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Idea: Healing Injuries, Arthritis with Blood (Good Morning America)</a>
</strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/05/eveningnews/main2889125.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Body, Heal Thyself (CBS News)</a>
</strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/plasma-helps-hines-ward-super-article-1.392694" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plasma Helps Athlete be Super (New York Daily News)</a></strong></li>
</ul>
