In recent years, there has been an increase in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) use in orthopedic sports medicine. Many famous athletes like Tiger Woods and Rafael Dadal have received PRP injections for sprained knees and chronic tendon injuries. Some athletes have credited PRP therapy with returning to play more quickly.

Blood platelet injection therapy was developed in the 1970’s, but in more recent year physicians have turned to PRP as a viable treatment option for a variety of sports medicine injuries. OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine® offers PRP orthopedic injections for athletes living in the Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth communities who are suffering from sports injuries.

What Sports Medicine Injuries can be treated with PRP Orthopedic Injections?

PRP orthopedic injections are used to treat:

  • Chronic tendon injuries
  • Acute tendon injuries
  • Tendonitis

Most notably, blood platelet injection therapy has been used to treat acute ligament and muscle injuries such as pulled hamstring muscles and knee sprains. Athletes are constantly searching for the fastest return to play and PRP orthopedic injections can help accelerate the healing process of acute injuries.

What is Blood Platelet Injection Therapy?

Blood platelet injection therapy merges technology with the body’s natural abilities for accelerated healing. A human’s blood is composed of four main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. When activated, platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. Growth factors are a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation, healing and cellular differentiation. When these growth factors are injected into an injured area of the body, they help promote a natural healing response that can be helpful in reducing the healing time for sports injuries.

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How Do PRP Orthopedic Injections Work?

The goal of PRP orthopedic injections is to reduce the pain and swelling of a chronic tendon, acute ligament or muscle injury. PRP orthopedic injections can promote the healing process allowing athletes to return to play faster.

The treatment begins by removing approximately 30 milliliters of blood. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge, which is a machine that uses high speeds to separate the four main components of the blood. Once the components are separated, the platelet rich plasma is removed. The plasma is then injected into the injured area releasing three to five times the growth factors compared to normal human blood. These growth factors recruit and increase the proliferation of reparative cells. In some cases, thrombin or calcium chloride will also be added into the injection as an “activating agent”.

The entire process takes less than 15 minutes. Response to treatment will vary with each patient. Most patients will require 1-3 sets of PRP injections. Each set of treatments is spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Risk oft reaction is low since PRP is obtained from the patient’s own blood. As with any injection, there is a small risk of injury to any structures in the area as well as a very small risk of infection.

If you are interested in blood platelet injection therapy and live in the Dallas, Arlington or Fort Worth area, please contact OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine®.

PRP Therapy & BMAC FAQ