PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for sports injuries, including ligament sprains, stiff joints, and pulled muscles. It uses your body’s natural growth factors to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and encourage healing. At Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC, which serves the Denver metropolitan area, sports medicine specialist Kevin O’Donnell, DO, and the rest of the staff use PRP therapy to treat various musculoskeletal injuries and medical conditions. Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule a PRP therapy consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What is PRP therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses a platelet-rich solution to spur your body’s healing process.

Human blood is a liquid but it contains microscopic solids, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets cause your blood to clot, but they also contain growth factors –– chemical substances that regulate cell growth and survival. 

PRP therapy may increase blood flow to the treatment site, reduce inflammation, and encourage the growth of new cells and tissue.

What types of injuries can benefit from PRP therapy?

Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC uses PRP therapy to treat various musculoskeletal injuries, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Achilles tendinitis
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Meniscus injuries
• Foot and ankle pain
• Elbow pain
• Ligament injuries

Sometimes, PRP therapy is used to treat open wounds. It can reduce the risk of infection and help your skin close faster if you cut yourself working or playing sports.

What can I expect during PRP therapy?

PRP therapy is an outpatient procedure that takes 45-60 minutes.

First, your specialist draws blood from a vein in your arm and fills several vials. Then, they put the vials into a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins rapidly, separating the platelets from the rest of your blood.

When the platelet-rich solution is ready, they transfer it to several syringes. They then inject the PRP solution into an area of injured or damaged tissue, like an arthritic joint. The PRP solution enters your body, increasing circulation to the treatment site. This may reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and trigger the production of healthy new cells and tissue.

Once treatment is finished, your specialist covers the injection sites with bandages and provides recovery instructions.

What is recovery like after PRP therapy?

After PRP therapy, it’s normal to experience mild bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection sites. However, any discomfort should improve within 24 hours. 

Since PRP therapy uses your blood, there’s no risk of infection. You can return to work, school, and other activities immediately following your appointment.

Will I need more than one PRP treatment?

Yes. The results of PRP therapy are cumulative, meaning they add up over time. Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC typically recommends at least three treatment sessions, spaced a week or two apart, for optimal results.

Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule a PRP therapy consultation, or book your appointment online today.