PRP Injections Specialist

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a ground-breaking form of Regenerative Medicine that utilizes a patient’s own blood to concentrate powerful substances that accelerates healing and alleviates pain from injuries, chrofnic conditions, and surgeries.  This procedure starts with drawing a small amount of blood from the patient.  The blood is then spun at a high speed in a centrifuge, to separate platelets from red blood cells and white blood cells, producing a serum that has a high concentration of platelets. Platelets contain special proteins called growth factors, as well as other properties that promote the body’s natural healing process.  Dr. Enayati and Dr.Gruver then processes the PRP in a proprietary method unique to our practice.  Once formulated, the PRP is then injected directly into the injured area.  For certain joints, the injection will be guided by ultrasound to ensure precision.  For spine injections, the procedure is performed under live fluoroscopic (x-ray) imaging.  The growth factors in the PRP signal to the body that the area is a “high-priority” so that the necessary resources are devoted to repairing the injury, working to restore the tissues and nerves to their original state prior to injury.

How is PRP used?

PRP is used to speed healing and decrease pain caused by a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries, such as sports injuries, sprains, muscle tears, and fractures.  PRP is also used for chronic conditions such as arthritis, spinal pain, and plantar fasciitis. Depending on the individual and the injury, a patient will typically need between one and three injections to achieve the best results.

What conditions are treated with PRP injections?

There are a number of different types of injury and damage that can be treated with PRP. Sports injuries often benefit greatly from PRP injections, which can accelerate recovery time.  Patients who suffer from osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, tendonitis (e.g., Achilles tendonitis), muscle spasms and chronic neck pain, back pain, and joint pain, and many other conditions are often good candidates for this treatment.  Dr. Enayati or Dr.Gruver will evaluate your unique circumstances and help you understand the best options for you.

Are PRP injections better than other treatment options for musculoskeletal pain?

Regenerative treatment with PRP or stem cells can be the most effective way to heal damaged joints and tissue in order to extinguish pain at the source.  PRP has become quite popular for treating a wide range of issues, such as joint injuries, tendinitis and tendon tears, rotator cuff tears, sprains, ligament damage, muscle tears, pain, and osteoarthritis.  These treatments tend to provide more substantial results compared to traditional treatments, and in certain cases, PRP injections can even be an effective alternative to a far more invasive joint or spine surgery!  However, Dr. Enayati and Dr.Gruver tailors every treatment to each individual patient’s specific circumstances and can discuss with you whether PRP is the best option to treat your pain.

Can PRP treat spinal injuries?

PRP can be used to treat several different spine conditions that cause back pain and neck pain.  Dr. Enayati or Dr.Gruver can inject PRP directly into the discs of your lumbar spine to treat certain types of discogenic pain.  Dr. Enayati and Dr.Gruver are also highly skilled at injecting PRP into the facet joints—these small joints connect the vertebrae of your spine in your back and neck, and are a very common source of back pain and neck pain.  For certain patients with low back pain or neck pain, PRP can be an excellent treatment option, and in certain cases may even allow the patient to avoid spine surgery!

Is PRP therapy safe?

All medical treatments have risks, but PRP is a very safe treatment.  Actually, it is safer than many traditional treatments for musculoskeletal problems, such as medication or surgery.  A simple injection is far less invasive than major surgery.  And because PRP is from a patient’s own blood, there is no known risk of rejection or allergic reactions.  Patients may experience slight bruising, numbness, stiffness, and/or soreness at the injection site.  Any such reactions are temporary.  Usually, patients notice substantial improvement about a month after treatment and achieve optimum results 3 to 6 months after treatment, which is typically the time required for tissue to obtain 85% tensile strength healing at a cellular level.

Has there been any research showing that PRP injections are effective?

Absolutely. Reputable journals are publishing new studies about PRP all the time. Here are a few recent examples:

• “In patients with symptomatic knee Osteoarthritis, PRP injections results in significant clinical improvements….”

Efficacy of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Arthroscopy. The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery; March 2016, V32, Issue 3, Pgs 495-595

• “[PRP] is safe and provides quantifiable benefits for pain relief and functional improvement with regard to knee Osteoarthritis….”

Intra-articular Autologous Conditioned Plasma Injections Provide Safe and Efficacious Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: An FDA-Sanctioned, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol 44, Issue 4, 2016

• “PRP injections have been found in the majority of recent clinical studies to be helpful for pain and function…..”

Role of PRP in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports; (2016) 4: 138. doi:10.1007/s40141-016-0119-4