Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are growing in popularity for treating a range of conditions, particularly sports injuries. This treatment uses the patient’s own blood cells to enhance the healing process in specific areas of the body.

Donna Remmes is a nurse practitioner

Donna Remmes is a nurse practitioner that will be joining the WG Wellness team to perform PRP & Trigger Point injections

MEDICAL EDUCATION

Univ Of Mass, Nurs Prac Prog, Boston, 1994
Regis College, Nursing Program, Weston, 2020
Univ MassAmherst, Sch Of Nurs, Amherst, 1989

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy

Stem cell therapy on a patient’s knee. Treating knee pain with platelet-rich plasma injection. Treatment of arthritis, tendonitis and osteoarthritis.

What can platelet-rich plasma injections be used to treat?
Platelet-rich plasma injections can be used to treat such degenerative conditions as osteoarthritis, as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries. Orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, Nurse practitioners, and physiatrists use PRP injections to treat people of all ages.
Some of the specific conditions that doctors use PRP injections to treat—or use as a supplement to another treatment, such as physical therapy—include the following:

Neck and back pain
Chronic ligament or tendon injuries
Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, or shoulder joints
Rotator cuff injuries
Injuries of the cartilage, ligaments and tendons
Foot Complaints

PRP can also be used in conjunction with surgery to enhance healing and recovery.

Learn More!

What is it like to have a platelet-rich plasma injection?
PRP can be administered right here in our office. Our NP will draw your blood, spin it in the centrifuge to prepare the PRP, then inject the PRP directly into the site of your injury. The entire process should take less than an hour. You may need to rest following the procedure.

It’s important to follow the NP’s instructions on how quickly to return to sports or other activities to ensure optimal recovery. Because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, can impair platelet function, you may be advised to stop taking them for two weeks in advance of a PRP treatment.
You may need to come back for additional PRP treatments, or your doctor may provide PRP in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy or other medications.
PRP’s effects are typically visible after a few weeks for joint injections. A series of 3 injections is a typical treatment.
However, the results may not be permanent, and follow-up injections may be needed.
What can patients expect with platelet-rich plasma injections?
Every patient is different, but doctors believe PRP may promote a longer-lasting recovery from an injury than some other treatments. Some patients report that their pain improved in four to six weeks—sometimes sooner—and that their condition continued to show improvement for up to a year.
It’s worth noting that particular PRP treatments will have varying levels of success with different patients, and doctors are still researching why this may occur.
What are the risks to platelet-rich plasma injections?
Platelet-rich plasma injections are minimally invasive and rarely causes side effects. Because it comes entirely from a patient’s own body, there is no concern about rejection or disease transmission. The most common side effects from PRP injection are discomfort, pain, and/or stiffness at the injection site.
Since the treatment uses the patient’s own tissues, PRP is considered safe and can be performed alone or combined with other procedures.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

PRP is made from two parts of your blood: plasma (the liquid part) and platelets (cells that help with healing). Platelets are known for helping blood clot, but they also have proteins called growth factors that help repair tissues. PRP has more platelets than regular blood.

To make PRP, doctors take a sample of your blood and spin it in a machine called a centrifuge. This separates the platelets and concentrates them in the plasma.

What is a PRP Injection?

Once PRP is prepared, it’s injected into the area that needs healing, like an injured joint or tendon. Sometimes, doctors use ultrasound to guide the injection. The idea is to deliver more growth factors to the injury, helping it heal faster.

The exact way PRP works isn’t fully understood yet, but studies show it can speed up healing, reduce pain, and even help with hair growth.

What is PRP Treatment Used For?

PRP injections are used to treat:

Injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints: PRP can help heal conditions like tennis elbow or jumper’s knee, making recovery faster and less painful.
Post-surgery recovery: PRP is now used after surgeries on muscles and tendons to help with healing.
Osteoarthritis: PRP may help with joint pain and stiffness by reducing inflammation, though more studies are needed.

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