Platelet Rich Plasma
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Chambers Foot & Ankle
Thomas J Chambers, DPM
Podiatrist located in Mesa, AZ
In recent years, doctors have learned that the body has the ability to heal itself. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can harness those abilites and amplify the natural growth factors your body uses to heal tissue.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient's own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muslces and joints. In this way, PRP inejctions use each individual patient's own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.
WHY PRP?
-Less side effects when compared to steroid injections or surgery
-Longer lasting
-Natural and organic; from your own body
-Speeds up and promotes healing
-Minimal to no down time
-Minimally invasive
How Does PRP work?
PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces. Ultrasound imaging is also used to guide the injection.
In most cases, particularly when tendons, muscles or ligaments are involved, PRP is an effective, safe alternative to an operation. Because PRP is from your own blood, autologous, so there is little to no risk when conducted by a trained professional. Since the cells are autologous there is no risk for an allergic or immune reaction. Side effects or complications with PRP are extremely rare. PRP therapy can be more efficient and economical option because it often eliminates the need for surgery, and it also eliminates dependence on repeated steroid injections. Studies have consistently shown that PRP therapy has a succes rate of more than 80 percent, resulting in long-term relief for these patients.
