When it comes to treating joint pain, we want to prioritize treatments that restore, or regenerate, injured tissue, rather than treatments that just mask the pain. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is one type of regenerative therapy that harnesses the power your own immune system to help reduce inflammation, support tissue healing, and alleviate pain. PRP therapy is well-studied and widely used by athletes and non-athletes alike.
What is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is a remarkable regenerative medicine technique in which a concentrated suspension of the patient’s own platelets and growth factors—isolated from a small sample of their blood—is injected directly into injured muscles, ligaments, tendons, or joints. By amplifying the body’s natural healing processes, PRP has been shown to accelerate tissue repair and reduce pain across a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
What Ailments Does PRP Therapy Treat?
PRP therapy is effective for a range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, including:
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Tendon injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Back pain
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Impaired wound healing
- Post-surgical recovery
What Are the Steps of PRP Therapy?
When PRP therapy is recommended, the procedure typically follows these steps:
- Blood Collection: A small sample of your blood is drawn, usually from the arm.
- Platelet Separation: The blood is spun in a centrifuge to isolate and concentrate the platelets and plasma from other components.
- PRP Preparation: The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is harvested and readied for injection.
- Image-Guided Injection: Often with the use of ultrasound guidance, the clinician injects the PRP precisely into the injured tissue.
- Procedure Time: The entire process—from blood draw to final injection—takes about one hour.
Aftercare & Recovery
- Medication Restrictions: In consultation with your physician, avoid aspirin, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), fish-oil supplements, Ginkgo biloba or other platelet-inhibiting agents for at least 5–7 days before and after your injection. If you need pain relief, use acetaminophen only, per your doctor’s advice.
- Heat over Ice: Skip ice or cold packs—cold constricts blood vessels and can blunt PRP’s healing cascade. Instead, apply a warm compress or heating pad on low for 10–15 minutes at a time to promote local blood flow.
- Rest & Activity: Rest the treated area as much as possible for 48–72 hours; mild soreness or swelling is normal.
- Healing Timeline: Over the following weeks, PRP stimulates your body’s natural repair processes, and many patients experience pain relief lasting several months. For chronic conditions, repeated PRP sessions—typically spaced several weeks apart—may be recommended to achieve optimal results.
Who May Benefit from PRP Therapy
PRP therapy can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic pain or sports-related injuries, including those suffering from persistent conditions—such as tendonitis, osteoarthritis, or long-standing ligament damage. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your specific injury or health condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
PRP versus Steroid Injections
Although steroid injections are widely used for quick relief, they work primarily by suppressing inflammation and typically offer rapid but short-lived pain control. To add, repeated steroid injections have been shown to actually contribute to tissue degeneration. In contrast, PRP injections harness the body’s own growth factors to stimulate tissue repair, resulting in a slower onset of relief that often endures longer as the injury heals.
Eclipse Clinic Offers PRP Therapy in Texas
Ready to discover how PRP therapy can help you overcome pain and get back to the activities you love? At Eclipse Clinic in Waxahachie, Texas, our expert team offers state-of-the-art platelet-rich plasma treatments tailored to your needs. Whether you have questions about PRP or want to explore other pain-relief options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact Eclipse Clinic today to schedule your consultation and start your journey toward faster healing and lasting relief!