Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Stem Cell Treatment

Platelet rich plasma, or PRP stem cell treatment, is a regenerative therapy used to promote healing by taking advantage of the body’s own repair mechanisms.

PRP Treatment in Atlanta

Platelet rich plasma, or PRP stem cell treatment, is a regenerative therapy used to promote healing by taking advantage of the body’s own repair mechanisms. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood, and it contains many components that contribute to healing, including platelets. When a person is injured, their body sends extra platelets to the site of the injury to accelerate the healing process. In PRP therapy, your doctor will inject your own platelet-rich plasma into the site of an injury. This may help jumpstart healing and recovery.

Orthopedic specialists use PRP treatment for shoulder pain and use PRP treatment for tennis elbow, as well as other injuries. PRP is often used to help treat muscle strains or injuries, and joint pain. This can include tennis elbow, tendinitis, arthritis, and even muscle tears.

What Happens During PRP Therapy?

During a PRP treatment in Atlanta, your doctor will first extract a small amount of your blood. How much blood needs to be extracted will vary, depending on the injury and location. The blood will then be processed to extract the plasma and platelets. Your platelet rich plasma is then injected at the site of the injured tissue, possibly with the use of ultrasound or x-ray.

Because the treatment involves drawing blood, it is recommended that you eat before your appointment, and you may be asked not to take certain medications or supplements that day. Talk to your doctor about your medications to see whether there are any you should refrain from taking before a PRP treatment.

What is Recovery Like After PRP Therapy?

Recovery is usually quick. Because PRP makes use of your own plasma, the risk of a negative reaction is lower than if a substance not coming from your own body were used. After the procedure, your doctor may request that you stay for a brief observation period (typically about 30 minutes to an hour) in order to monitor you.

PRP is a relatively new procedure, and studies on recovery time and the full benefits of PRP are ongoing. Talk to your doctor about what they predict your recovery time and results will be.

What are the Potential Side Effects of PRP Therapy?

Since PRP is based on your own blood products, there is a low chance of having a negative reaction to the injected materials. However, there is always a possibility of side effects from the procedure itself. As with any injection, there is a risk of infection around the injection site. Follow your doctor’s instructions on keeping the area clean after your PRP injections. Depending on the location of the injection site, you may also be required to limit certain movements temporarily following the procedure.

Who is a Candidate for PRP Therapy?

PRP is most commonly used in individuals who have suffered from muscle injuries or joint pain from arthritis. For example, patients may get a prp injection for shoulder (rotator cuff) pain resulting from an injury. Individuals who have an active infection should wait until the infection is resolved before pursuing PRP treatment. PRP may also not be suitable for people who are undergoing treatment for cancer. PRP is a relatively new treatment that has been demonstrated to be safe for a wide variety of patients, and research into this promising treatment method is ongoing.

Make An Appointment Today With Our Sports Injury Doctor

If you require an independent medical evaluation (IME), call us at (404) 343-2672 to schedule an appointment with our sports injury doctor at our Atlanta clinic.

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