What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma is found naturally in your blood. This plasma contains a high concentration of growth factors that assist in the healing of damaged cells within the body. As new cells regenerate, they replace the old, injured cells to speed up the healing process from many different types of injuries, including:
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Bone fractures
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Ligament injuries
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Damaged muscles
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Tendon injuries
Dr. Waltrous can assess your injury and your overall health to determine if PRP treatments are right for you.
What can I expect during PRP treatment?
PRP treatments are relatively simple and require a two-step process. The first part involves drawing a sample of your own blood. Dr. Waltrous must prepare the blood in a centrifuge, a device that quickly spins the liquid to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood materials.
Once the plasma is ready, Dr. Waltrous injects it back into the area of your injury. The injected plasma contains a high concentration of growth factors that trigger the natural healing process.
What kind of results can I expect with PRP therapy?
While PRP is highly effective at improving your healing time and efficiency, it works gradually as the growth factors stimulate newer, healthier cells in the weeks after your treatment. Within four weeks of treatment, you should begin to see a noticeable improvement in your mobility and a reduction in your pain. As more cells grow, your healing continues to improve.
PRP therapy essentially helps your body heal naturally from the inside out, with the goal to reduce your reliance on pain medications and increase your overall functionality. Treatment with PRP can also reduce the likelihood you’ll need surgery in the future.
Is PRP therapy safe?
Because Dr. Waltrous uses your own blood for treatment, there is very minimal risk for side effects or complications.
Dr. Waltrous ensures you’re comfortable during your procedure and liberally uses numbing medication to decrease your pain. You may have slight bruising or mild swelling at the injection point, which resolves on its own in a day or two.
In many cases, you can achieve your desired results after your initial treatment, and Dr. Waltrous monitors your recovery closely to ensure the treatment is working well.
Find out if PRP therapy is right for you by calling Maryland Sports, Spine and Musculoskeletal Institute or requesting an appointment online today.