What to expect from PRP and Prolotherapy?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Prolotherapy have been used for many decades to improve healing, reduce infection, and eliminate pain. Patients have received injections for tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, meniscal tears, osteoarthritis, knee pain, hip pain, and chronic low back and neck pain. Injections are given with a local anesthetic, using the smallest gauge needle possible, to minimize pain at the injection site. On occasion, an “achy” soreness is felt at the site of injury, just a few hours following the injection. This “soreness” is a positive sign that the healing response has been set in motion. This effect can last for several days and gradually decreases as healing and tissue repair occurs. Often acupuncture is also performed in the local region of the injections, which improves healing response and begins to reduce pain in local tissues.
It is important that anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Aspirin be avoided following PRP or Prolotherapy treatments. These medicines may block the effects of the intended healing response, facilitated by the injection itself. It is acceptable to use Tylenol and apply ice and elevation as needed. You will be permitted to resume normal day to day activities and light exercise following injection. We suggest that you avoid strenuous lifting or high level exercise for at least several days after the injection.
This treatment is not a “quick fix” and is designed to promote long-term healing of the injured tissue. The regeneration of connective tissue can continue for months and may require multiple injections. For most cases 1-5 injections are required at 2-4 week intervals. Research and clinical data show that PRP injections are extremely safe, with minimal risk for any adverse reaction or complication. Because PRP is produced from your own blood, there is no concern for rejection or disease transmission. There is a small risk of infection from any injection into the body, but this is rare. Research suggests that PRP also has an antibacterial property which protects against possible infection. Treatments are completed usually within an hour with the patient able to return to work or home without any consequences.
