PRP has been shown safe and effective in treating a variety of injuries and can drastically shorten healing time, often eliminating the need for surgery. PRP treatment is also drug free with a short recovery time for most patients.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP is an exciting natural, non-surgical treatment that involves the injection of platelets from a patient’s own blood directly into the site of injury. These platelets then trigger the body’s natural instincts to repair itself. This therapy was originally developed in the 1970’s and was administered in hospital settings, but recent technological advances have enabled PRP treatment to move into outpatient surgical centers such as Montvale Surgical Center.
Why is it Used?
When the body is injured or damaged, PRP initiates a powerful cascade of responses designed to begin the healing process. This repair response usually starts with the formation of a platelet-rich blood clot. Platelets then release healing proteins to mend the skin, bone and other tissues. However, certain injuries can be resistant to healing due to a lack of blood flow to the area, repetitive stress, or wearing away of tissue. By injecting blood platelets into the injured area, the healing proteins needed go directly to the site to repair the damage.
How is PRP Done?
This innovative, yet relatively simple procedure takes place at Montvale Surgical Center and usually takes less than an hour. During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient’s arm and then loaded into a centrifuge where it spins to separate red and white blood cells, and serum from platelets. This high platelet concentrate, which contains up to 10x the amount of platelets found in normal blood, will give the body a potent boost to heal.
The extracted platelet-rich plasma is collected in a sterile syringe so it can be injected into the injured area, which is locally anesthetized. The patient is then free to go home.
Treatment Duration
Two to three weeks after the first PRP treatment, the doctor and patient will meet to evaluate the progress and determine whether more therapy is needed. Depending on the severity and duration of the injury or disorder, most patients require between one and four treatments.
As PRP therapy now gains popularity in the U.S., it is getting recognized by doctors and patients alike for having great success. Many doctors believe PRP has the potential to revolutionize sports medicine, orthopedics and beyond, with new applications for this technique being discovered daily. Consult with Montvale Rehab & Spinal Care to see if you’re a candidate for PRP Therapy. David Levesque, DPM, Rick Lambert, MD, and David Gamburg, MD, all perform PRP injections next door at Montvale Surgical Center.
CONDITIONS TREATED INCLUDE:
- Tendonitis and tears
- Golfer’s and tennis elbow
- Ligament sprains
- Spinal nerve inflammation
- Facet joint arthritis
- Hip girdle muscle pain or injury
- Bursitis
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Quadriceps muscle pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Ankle sprains
Step 1
Blood is safely drawn from the patient’s arm.
Step 2
The blood is then loaded into a centrifuge to spin for 15 minutes at 3200 rpm.
Step 3
Platelet-rich plasma is then extracted from the vial.
Step 4
The injured area is now injected with PRP using a sterile needle.
