Blog Post

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a non-surgical treatment that may help to repair degenerative tissue and injury by using the patient’s own blood to stimulate natural healing processes. PRP delivers a high concentration of the patient’s own Platelet-Rich Plasma directly to an injury site to promote healing.

Platelets are the healing component of blood, and the body will naturally send platelets to injured tissue to aid in the healing process. Platelets heal tissue by releasing growth factors and bioactive proteins. PRP has been observed to stimulate cellular repair, increase anti-inflammatory processes and grow blood vessels in damaged tissue.

PRP is often injected into areas that have a poor blood supply such as the foot, ankle, shoulder, elbow and knee. These areas generally have a poor blood supply and need assistance with healing damage. PRP may assist with tendon and ligament conditions, osteoarthritis and the stalled healing of muscle injuries.

PRP is suitable for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Painful knee osteoarthritis
• Tendon injury or chronic tendon pain in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hips, knees, ankle and feet
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Plantar fasciitis
• Partial rotator cuff tears
• Partial tendon and muscle tears
• Tendinopathies resistant to conservative therapy
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Shoulder rotator cuff
• Shoulder and trochanteric bursitis
• Biceps and wrist tendinosis
• Gluteal tendons
• Patella tendon

The Procedure

PRP treatment begins with a blood extraction, which is taken in a similar manner to that of a blood test. This blood is then placed into a centrifuge, which spins the blood and separates the platelet, red blood cell, white blood cell and plasma components. Blood separation creates plasma with a platelet concentration that is at least three times higher than that of healthy blood. Once separated, the platelet rich plasma is then injected directly into the treatment site. The injection is often administered under guidance from an ultrasound to ensure precise placement.

1. Blood is taken from the patient

2. Separation of platelets in centrifuge

3. Platelet Rich Plasma is then extracted and prepared for the procedure

4. This will then be injected into the location of injury or pain to stimulate the body’s healing response

The PRP injection is administered by our expert radiologists. 

The treatment will take approximately one hour to complete.

The following clinics offer PRP treatment: