The Many Benefits of PRP

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is a regenerative medicine that advances your body’s natural growth factors to heal damaged joints, tendons, ligaments, or muscles. At Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center in Henderson and Las Vegas, our team uses PRP to help support cell growth and accelerate the healing process.

How does PRP work?

PRP involves an in-office blood draw. We draw about 1 or 2 ounces of blood from your arm and place it in a centrifuge machine, which separates the red and white blood cells from the platelets. After the PRP is extracted from the blood, we inject it into the treatment area. The platelets then secrete growth factors and help your body heal.

Benefits of PRP

Platelet-rich plasma treatments are increasing in popularity because they don’t require anesthesia, incisions, or recovery time.

While growth factors and platelets already exist in your blood to the tune of 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter, the concentration of growth factors and platelets in PRP is between 2.5 to 9 times the amount. Injecting PRP into injured areas of the body helps reduce inflammation, stimulate cell regrowth and repair, and accelerate wound and tissue healing.

Reduced inflammation

In addition to its orthopedic uses, PRP therapy is also used in cosmetic surgeries because it decreases bruising and reduces swelling. Reduced swelling is useful in all medical procedures as it allows your body to heal more efficiently.

Reduced pain

PRP therapy patients report significant pain reduction thanks to the faster rate of tissue repair from the high concentration of platelets. Studies show PRP therapy combined with other conservative treatment methods effectively treats injuries unresponsive to other treatments.

Minimally invasive

PRP therapy uses only the components in your own blood. Because this requires only a simple blood draw and an injection — surgical incisions — it’s considered a minimally invasive procedure. There are no medications or chemicals mixed with the platelets, so there is no risk of rejection or adverse reaction. 

Orthopedic uses of PRP

The Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center team regularly uses PRP injections for rotator cuff tear pain, Achilles tendon ruptures, tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and herniated discs, tennis elbow, and golfer’s elbow. Side effects of PRP are practically nonexistent since the injections are created from your own blood.

Because PRP injections reduce inflammation, the treatment also offers the benefit of decreased anti-inflammatory medication and reduced reliance on strong pain medications like opioids.

Learn more about PRP injections and find out if they can help you by scheduling an appointment with the office nearest you.