Sherman Oaks & Los Angeles Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Category : Regenerative Medicine

WHAT IS PRP?

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, refers to the concentration of platelets that are derived from the plasma portion of one’s own blood. PRP contains an abundance of enzymes and growth factors that are vital for the healing process to occur.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY PRP PROCEDURE?

First, a sample of blood is collected from the vein of the arm, similar to a clinical laboratory blood draw. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge and carefully spun according to a very specific protocol in order to separate the various components of blood, plasma and platelets,white blood cells, and red blood cells. The final product of PRP contains mainly the platelets and plasma layer that has been concentrated several times above the original concentration. There are often over 1 million platelets in the final solution! Once the PRP is prepared, the injection area will be draped and sterilized. A state-of-the-art ultrasound machine will be used to visualize the exact location to be treated. A local anesthetic will be used to make the injection as comfortable as possible prior to injecting the PRP precisely into the target tissue or joint. For certain spine procedures, a live x-ray may be used instead of an ultrasound.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY PROCEDURE?

Following the injection, you will be able to go home and resume normal activities. You will be provided with a set of instructions for the immediate 24 hours followed by a detailed Regenerative Rehabilitation (link to this page) program that outlines encouraged and discouraged activities over the next 8 weeks. In many cases, you will be encouraged to participate in a monitored physical therapy program over that period of time. This will work synergistically with the injection to mobilize a robust healing response. The patient is typically seen by the physician in the clinic for a routine follow-up approximately 8 weeks (2 months) after the procedure. In most cases, a single injection is all that is required to reach the desired effect.

Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP)

Platelet-Poor Plasma, or PPP is similar to PRP in the way that they both contain plasma, however, PPP contains almost no platelets. PPP can be used to calibrate the concentrations of PRP samples so that the patient is getting the right amount of platelets in their treatments. PPP can also play a role in healing as PRP does. This is because PPP is thought to contain high levels of fibrinogen, which is an agent known to speed up the healing of wounds. It is because of this why PPP is utilized in orthopedic. 

PRP at NESS – Nevo Sports & Spine in Sherman Oaks, CA

You don’t have to live with debilitating pain. If you want. learn more about our PRP procedures book an appointment nowt We look forward to hearing from you and helping you beat your pain