Understanding PRP Therapy: How Your Own Blood Cells Can Heal Joint Injuries

Millions of people across the US experience joint pain and injuries each year due to trauma, overuse, and underlying medical conditions. Traditionally, some of these injuries were treated with surgery, such as joint replacement. However, thanks to advances in regenerative medicine, that’s starting to change.

At Twin Creeks Orthopedics and Regenerative Clinic, our expert team regularly treats joint injuries with platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP. This article explains how PRP works, highlights its effects on joint injuries, and discusses how to tell if this treatment approach is right for you. 

Understanding platelet-rich plasma therapy

PRP therapy is a type of regenerative medicine. It involves taking a sample of your own blood and isolating the platelets inside. Platelets are microscopic solids in the blood that help with clotting. However, they also contain growth factors and proteins that may support tissue repair.

That unique ability allows PRP to help treat common symptoms of joint injuries, such as joint pain and stiffness. When injected into strategic areas, such as an arthritic knee, PRP can help ease swelling and support the body’s natural healing process without surgery.

How PRP helps treat joint injuries

PRP is unique in that it doesn’t simply mask the symptoms of joint injuries. Instead, it aims to support the body’s natural healing process by reducing inflammation and encouraging the growth of healthy new cells and tissues.

Although research is ongoing, we regularly use PRP to treat:

• Mild to moderate arthritis
• Tendon injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Knee pain
• Shoulder pain
• Hip pain
• Hand and wrist pain
• Foot and ankle pain

PRP can also complement sports medicine. For instance, athletes with certain joint, ligament, or tendon injuries may use PRP as part of a broader treatment plan to support recovery.

What to expect during and after PRP treatment

PRP is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.

If we determine that you’re a good candidate, we draw a sample of your blood and place it in a centrifuge, which separates your platelets from the rest of your blood. Once the PRP is ready, we transfer it to a syringe and inject it into strategic areas around your joint. 

The number of injections you receive will depend on the underlying injury and the severity of your symptoms. 

Once treatment is finished, many people can return to work and other daily activities right away. However, we may recommend limiting certain activities based on the location of your injections. It’s normal to experience mild swelling and redness at each injection site, but these symptoms should improve within 48 hours. 

Some people benefit from a single PRP treatment, while others may need a series of injections based on their condition and treatment goals. 

See if platelet-rich plasma therapy is right for you

Contact us if you’re struggling to manage symptoms of a joint injury, such as pain or stiffness. After an exam, we can create a custom treatment plan that helps ease your symptoms and gets you back to your routine.

To make an appointment, call (469) 342-3383 or book online today.