Regenerative Medicine therapies are performed as outpatient procedures. These therapies can be used to treat acute or chronic pain conditions related to degenerative disease. There are many different types of treatments and approaches that we will customize to your condition.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that relieves pain by promoting long-lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions using your body's own growth factors.
The body’s natural response to an injury is to send platelets from the blood to the damaged tissues which initiates the natural healing process.
Platelets store a vast array of growth factors which are released at the site of injury. Through a process called cell signaling, the platelets call for other healing factors to be drawn into the site of injury. PRP acts in much the same way, but with an extremely high dose of platelets specifically injected into the target area. This treatment enhances the body’s healing response to acute, chronic, or inflammatory diseases.
PRP consists of a concentrated solution of platelets, growth factors, signaling molecules and other plasma proteins that play vital roles in orchestrating tissue healing and joint stabilization. To yield a therapeutic benefit, a dose of over 1 billion platelets per mL is required [1]. The PRP used in this clinic contains a highly significant, industry-leading 7-to-10-fold increase in platelet concentration compared to whole blood. This concentration far exceeds the minimum requirement of 1 billion platelets per mL. [2]
For decades, high level athletes have used PRP therapy to avoid surgery and benefit from shortened injury recovery times. By enhancing the body's natural healing capacity, PRP therapy can lead to more rapid, efficient, and more thorough healing and stabilization of tissues, bringing them back to a healthy state.
After identifying the tailored PRP solution needed to treat your pain, blood is drawn from your arm and run through a centrifuge which separates the blood into its components. The plasma portion is collected and then further concentrated to maximize the amount of the vital platelets, growth factors, and proteins. The final personalized PRP solution is then injected into the affected area. Ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance is used to ensure precise delivery of PRP to the target site.
At FUSION, we are not only very competitively priced but offer a service and experience no other clinic can match. The cost of PRP injections vary based on how much is used and what are is being targeted. Please come in and we will be happy to go over specific pricing for you. We do offer military and other service occupation discounts!
We usually advise relative rest for about a week after the PRP injection. Depending on your occupation, you should be able to work after the injection and should have no problems with daily activities. You may want to rest the day after the injection as some people have mild discomfort and stiffness. Performing gentle range of motion exercises is usually helpful after the injection.
Usually patients start noticing some improvement between 2-4 weeks after the injection. Improvement is slow and gradual as your body is healing and regenerating the affected area. The cells injected remain in the area about 6 months working hard to heal the tissue.
Our clinical team will walk you through each step of your procedure. PRP treatments are performed in our procedure room and can take between 30 minutes to an hour, from pre-procedural prep all the way through to putting a band aid on the injection site.
A tailored PRP formulation is prepared depending on your specific requirement. A routine blood draw is performed and anywhere between 30mL and 120mL of blood is taken depending on what areas are being treated.
The blood is then carefully separated into its various components using centrifugation in our in-office lab.
Patients resume their daily activities immediately following the procedure. Some patients experience a mild flare up of symptoms following a PRP injection. This will resolve in a couple days to a week. We will discuss post-injection instructions with specific limitations and rehab protocols with you before leaving the office.
Our providers administer PRP under image guidance. This could be ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
Most patients report a mild increase in pain and occasionally some swelling immediately following the injection lasting up to several days. This is normal and results from the body’s natural inflammatory response flooding the region with healing factors. Please notify your physician if this increased pain does not resolve itself within three days. At about 2 weeks post-procedure, most patients will experience some relief from pre-injection pain levels. The greatest benefit is typically reported at 4-6 weeks post-injection and healing continues to occur up to 6-9 months after.
Your treatment plan is created based upon the severity and duration of the injury or degeneration. Usually, one or two treatments with PRP is sufficient for many conditions along with physical therapy and/or at-home exercises. However, more severe conditions may need ‘booster’ shots after four weeks. Your provider will evaluate your situation and advise if you need repeat treatment after your first follow-up appointment.
There are complementary treatments to PRP such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), Alpha-2-Macroglobulin and hyaluronic acid that may help maximize your results.
Pre-procedural restrictions are necessary to ensure a good quality of PRP with high platelet integrity. Please let your provider know what medications and supplements you are currently taking so that they may advise you appropriately. We recommend holding NSAID’s (such as Naproxen, Ibuprofen), anti-inflammatory supplements (such as Vitamin E, turmeric, curcumin, fish oil, ginseng, gingko, ginger, garlic extract) for 1 week prior to injection if possible.
If you are taking blood thinner medications, we will help you coordinate with your provider if you are safe to hold these prior to and after the injection. If you are at high risk and unable to hold blood thinner medication, we recommend waiting to perform the PRP until you are cleared. Arrive to your appointment well-hydrated which helps with your blood draw.
Some patients experience pain relief shortly after their PRP procedure. It is typical for the effects to take 4 to 6 weeks to be fully experienced.[1] Ongoing improvement from that point is also very typical. Your PRP results will vary depending on several factors. Our team will develop an optimized treatment and care plan specifically for your needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that PRP provides significant healing and long-lasting reduction in pain for a variety of injuries. [7]
Knee
Shoulder
Foot & Ankle
Elbow, Hand & Wrist
Spine / Back
Hip
The characteristics of the composition of PRP are critical to final outcomes. There are a wide variety of commercially available kits which deliver very different cellular products. The red and white blood cell counts, platelet yield and the ability to concentrate the product efficiently vary dramatically. Variances in these categories will result in altered healing and efficacy [3] [4].
We offer the highest standard of Platelet Rich Plasma available today. As a group we use only the most advanced and scientifically proven equipment which includes:
PRP is ideal for patients who have not found an appropriate level of success in more conservative or traditional treatments, such as steroid injections, viscosupplements, physical therapy or bracing. PRP may also be an effective option for candidates that wish to attempt to delay or avoid surgery.
Unlike cortisone or other injectable medications, PRP is a natural substance derived from your body, limiting adverse reactions. As with any injection, there is a minor risk of infection, bleeding and damage to local structures. To limit this, your provider will cleanse the area of injection and follow universal precautions. The PRP injection will be performed with image guidance to ensure precise placement.
PRP injections are usually well-tolerated with a local anesthetic injection.
There have been numerous clinical studies that show significant and lasting reduction in pain for a variety of injuries. [7], [12] Common injuries include early to advanced arthritis, knee, and shoulder pain. Multiple clinical studies have shown that when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes and strengthening therapies, the results are positive. [13]
No, the PRP comes from your own body and is used immediately. Therefore, there is no risk of rejection and very low risk of infection (the same risk as any other injection).
PRP can be highly effective in substantially reducing pain in patients with even advanced arthritis. [10] Often, patients can delay total knee replacement with PRP therapy.
This depends on what type of procedure is done. Microfracture surgery is a common surgical procedure done to restore the cartilage surface in your knee. If your doctor performs this procedure on you, there are numerous scientific articles that show a far more robust patient outcome (improvement of VAS scores) when augmented with PRP. [11]
The cost of a PRP treatment varies based on the procedure performed. Our office staff can assist you with payment options and answer any other questions you may have.
Although PRP in musculoskeletal applications is well supported by clinical evidence, the broader use of PRP therapy in treating pain is still considered relatively new at this time. Because of this, PRP is not typically covered by commercial insurance companies or Medicare and is provided as a cash pay procedure. Our office staff can assist you with additional questions.
Links organized by body part; also includes additional references here.
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