There has been a lot of discussion about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) lately, with a myriad of treatment options. You may have heard about PRP in several areas, including hair restoration, microneedling facials and aesthetics, and musculoskeletal conditions such as knee or shoulder pain. PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. While our blood is mainly a liquid called plasma, we have smaller cells in our blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets are mostly known for their ability to clot our blood, but they also contain growth factors that stimulate regeneration or healing of injured areas. As the name suggests, PRP is plasma with a higher concentration of platelets than what is usually found in our blood.

To create PRP, a blood sample is taken from the patient. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge and separated into layers. One of those layers is plasma, with a concentrated number of platelets separated from the other blood components and can be used for the desired treatment. Additionally, the PRP can be spun into varied concentrations specific to the procedure being performed. Studies have shown that increased growth factors in PRP can speed up the healing process in injury.

One of the complaints we use PRP for at Az IV Vitality is knee pain. Knee pain is a common complaint in all ages, with osteoarthritis being the most common cause of knee pain as we age. Studies show that PRP therapy can help treat osteoarthritic knee pain and stiffness by causing changes in the joint environment and reducing inflammation. Multiple studies have shown that PRP injections are better than any other injection for knee arthritis and can not only improve function but may help the patient avoid surgery or knee replacement. In one impressive study, over 85% of the patients who received PRP injections for knee osteoarthritis did not get knee replacement within five years of follow-up.

PRP injections are a minimally invasive procedure that has shown to be effective for healing and repair. Some other indications or uses of PRP include hair restoration, rotator cuff injuries, osteoarthritis in other joints, tendon or ligament injuries, joint injuries, post-surgical healing, and skin rejuvenation. Each patient is assessed for suitability and if they are a good candidate for PRP treatments. Schedule a consult today and let AZ Vitality and Wellness help relieve your knee pain and get you back to what you enjoy doing!