Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
When an area of the body becomes injured, inflammation and regeneration processes
naturally occur. Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal, and much of this is controlled by
growth factors naturally found in the blood. Our body normally recovers from common use and
injuries. However, the ability to heal is sometimes interrupted, which can turn even a minor
injury into a chronic problem.
WHAT IS PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma is a component of blood, which is extracted from the same patient it will be used to
treat. Thus the treatment itself does not require any external chemicals or additives, which
virtually negates any risk of allergy or sensitivity. In other words, Platelet Rich Plasma is a component of your
own blood that is gently extracted and isolated, then used to promote healing in your damaged
tissues. The goal of PRP therapy is to concentrate the growth factors found in your blood and
use them to supercharge the natural healing processes.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED?
After a thorough physical exam and information gathering, PRP preparation involves a normal
blood draw, which is followed by using a specialized centrifuge and extraction process to
separate the PRP from the rest of the blood. Finally, an injection procedure is used to directly apply the liquid
PRP to the affected tissues. The preparation phase takes 15-20 minutes, while the injection process
typically takes 5-10 minutes or less. To maximize comfort, a local anesthetic (numbing agent) is
usually injected into the treatment site before applying Platelet Rich Plasma and may be added into the PRP mixture itself.
WHAT CAN PRP BE USED FOR?
Common areas treated with PRP include hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows forearms, and wrists. This can include conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis (including tennis elbow), ligamentous laxity (higher than normal joint mobility), or even joint sprains. PRP therapy can decrease or eliminate pain, improve joint function and mobility, and shorten healing times when used appropriately.
Looking to have a PRP treatment done in Vancouver? Come Visit us at Port Moody Health Clinic today!