PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a natural way to boost your body’s ability to heal. It’s often used to treat joint pain, tendon injuries, and inflammation, especially for people looking to avoid surgery or long-term medications.
PRP injections promote recovery by delivering concentrated healing factors exactly where they’re needed. This straightforward procedure has long-term potential, and for many, it becomes a turning point in the healing process.
What Is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma is made from your own blood. Platelets are tiny cell fragments best known for helping blood clot, but they also release growth factors – proteins that help heal injured tissue.
In a typical blood sample, platelets make up only a small portion. PRP therapy isolates and concentrates these platelets, creating a powerful healing solution that’s injected directly into the injured area.
The PRP Process
The entire procedure is done in the office and takes 30 to 45 minutes. Here’s how it works:
- Blood Draw – We’ll draw a small amount of blood from your arm, just like a routine lab test.
- Centrifuge Spin – The blood is placed into a centrifuge – a machine that spins to separate the components. This allows us to isolate the platelet-rich plasma from red and white cells.
- Injection – The PRP is injected into the target area, using imaging guidance when needed. This ensures we’re delivering the healing solution exactly where it can do the most good.
Because PRP comes from your own body, there’s very little risk of allergic reaction or rejection.
What Happens Next?
PRP doesn’t work like a steroid – it doesn’t numb pain right away. Instead, it triggers your body’s healing process. Most people start to feel relief within a few days to a couple of weeks. It’s normal to feel sore at the injection site, and the discomfort is usually short-lived.
You won’t need to drastically change your routine, but you may be advised to temporarily limit intense activity while your body responds to treatment. Many patients resume normal movement shortly afterward.
Platelet Activation and Healing
Once injected, platelets release growth factors that:
- Reduce inflammation
- Attract healing cells to the area
- Stimulate new tissue growth
- Improve circulation and cellular repair
Think of PRP as giving your body’s natural healing tools a boost – no foreign substances, just a stronger version of what your body already uses to recover.
Success Rates
PRP doesn’t work for everyone, but it has strong results for the right patients. It’s been shown that many people report less pain and better function after treatment, especially for:
- Mild to moderate osteoarthritis
- Chronic tendon injuries
- Certain spine conditions, like facet joint irritation
One study found that PRP was more effective than hyaluronic acid at improving pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly over the long term. PRP can also make it easier to participate in physical therapy and avoid more invasive procedures.
Another recent study involving patients undergoing lumbar discectomy showed that those who received PRP had significantly better outcomes, including lower recurrence rates and improved long-term pain relief, compared to those who did not receive PRP. These results suggest that PRP may offer added value when used alongside other targeted spine treatments.
What Affects Results?
Several factors can influence how well PRP works:
- Age and Health – Younger, healthier individuals often respond better
- Severity of Damage – Early-stage conditions respond more consistently
- Lifestyle – Following rehab recommendations improves outcomes
- Chronic Illness – Conditions like diabetes may affect healing
We take all of this into account when deciding if PRP is a good fit for you.
A Regenerative Option That Works with You
PRP offers a natural, low-risk way to help your body heal. By concentrating your own blood’s healing components and targeting them precisely, this treatment can often reduce pain and support recovery without surgery or long-term medication.
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we’ll help you decide whether PRP is right for you – and if so, we’ll build a care plan that works with your goals and lifestyle. Healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, your own body just needs a little help. Get in touch today to get started.