Rehabilitation Services
PRP Injections
A Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection is a concentrated solution made of high levels of platelets found naturally in the blood plasma. This new treatment is currently being used to improve the healing of various musculoskeletal system injuries in the body, involving cartilages, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones.
Peterborough's Choice for PRP Injection Therapy
What is PRP Injection?
A Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection is a concentrated solution made of high levels of platelets found naturally in the blood plasma. This new treatment is currently being used to improve the healing of various musculoskeletal system injuries in the body, involving cartilages, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones.
A PRP solution is made from the patient’s own blood by separating platelets and plasma from the rest of the blood components. The components of the blood are separated through a specialized PRP centrifuge, specifically designed for PRP injections to get the highest concentration of platelets possible.
How PRP Injection Treatment Works:
PRP solution contains concentrated levels of platelet growth factors, which stimulate tissue repair. The solution of PRP is then injected to deliver high concentrations of the platelet growth factors to the injured tissue at the painful site.
Once the PRP solution reaches the injured tissue, the different growth factors get to work to ensure fast and effective healing of the damaged tissue.
Some of the growth factors play include:
- Increase the levels of collagen (type I and III)
- Form new blood vessels to promote the delivery of nutrients to the injured tissue
- Stimulate cell growth to repair the damaged tissue
- Increase the growth and activity of the targeted cells
- Increase the number of the cells which get rid of the unwanted cells in the area responsible for the pain and discomfort
PRP treatment is based on the bodies natural ability to heal, using technology and your own blood to increase the healing process and target the painful and damaged areas in the body.
Cases That Can Benefit From PRP Injections
- PRP injection for partial ACL tears in the knee ACL tears are some of the most common injuries to the knee in athletes and other active individuals. This is a type of ligament injury in the knee, which requires time away from physical activity in order to heal. PRP injections to the ACL enhances and speeds up recovery to help athletes get back to their game faster. In case of a complete tear, PRP can be injected after repairing the affected ACL. With an ACL injury, your surgeon may recommend combining PRP injections with a brace or other tools to help protect the healing of the knee.
- PRP injection for shoulder pain/ rotator cuff injuries Individuals with pain in their shoulders due to rotator cuff tears or bursitis can benefit from PRP therapy. PRP decreases pain caused by inflammation of the bursa. PRP injections promote faster healing in rotator cuff tears, and can be used instead of more invasive procedures.
- PRP injection for knee-related issues Patients suffering from knee pain and inflammation due to ligament tears, osteoarthritis, cartilage lesions, bursitis, or other knee-related issues can benefit significantly from PRP injections. The growth factors in PRP help in the repair of damaged knee tissues, including cartilages and ligaments. With follow up treatments, PRP offers long-term results for most knee-related issues.
- PRP injection for ankle-related issues Ankle-related issues such as sprains, tendon and ligament tears, inflammation due to plantar fasciitis, and other issues can cause pain and discomfort, which limits movement. Most injuries to the ankle take longer to heal, which keeps athletes and active individuals from doing what they love most. PRP injections help treat ankle-related issues at an increased rate by introducing growth factors that promote repair of the affected tissue.
- PRP therapy for meniscus tears The meniscus (lateral and medial) can tear due to injuries or degeneration due to overuse, which leads to inflammation, pain, and limited flexibility of the knee joint. A wide variety of meniscus tears can be treated using PRP injections, which enhance healing and promote the formation of healthier and stronger meniscus tissue.
- PRP for patellar tendonitis treatment Patellar tendonitis is an injury to the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin bone. This type of injury is most common in athletes and active individuals whose sports require a lot of jumping. PRP injections to injured patellar tendons promote the formation of new healthy tissue, which repairs tendon damage.
PRP Injections Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PRP treatment injections can help athletes and active individuals return to their favourite sports and hobbies. It does this by increasing the production of new healthy tissue to repair the damaged tissue at the problem area. Whether it’s a new, old, or recurring injury, PRP injections can help repair the damaged tissue at a faster rate, allowing you to get back to your sport sooner.
The number of PRP injections required for knee injuries depends on several factors such as the severity and location of the injury. Other factors, such as age and platelet concentration in your PRP solution, also determine the number of PRP injections you’ll need.
PRP injection helps in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries by promoting faster healing of the injured tissue. The time taken for injuries to heal varies depending on the severity and location of the injury. Most patients begin to experience significant pain relief after three to four weeks. The injury continues to improve and heal over the next few months. PRP is fast, non-invasive, and provides long-term results.
Everyone has blood containing platelets and plasma, which is what the PRP injection is made of. Although the concentration of platelets in an individual’s blood vary, the team at ORI Kawarthas will adjust the amount of blood needed to meet the requirements of the PRP levels. The time taken to heal injuries varies between persons due to differences in their bodies response and extent of injuries.
After a PRP injection, especially to soft tissues, its normal to experience varying pain and or stiffness near the injection site, which goes away within two to three days.
In comparison to PRP injection for tendon tear, PRP injection for osteoarthritis is not as common. Over time, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down. Prior to surgery, more people opt for a PRP injection and try to treat osteoarthritis.
Arthritis can occur with any joint in your body but primarily diagnosed in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. The best way to help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis is to maintain a healthy, and active lifestyle. The ORI Kawarthas clinic team includes registered Physiotherapists, Massage therapists and Kinesiologists to assist with adjusting your activity to manage osteoarthritis symptoms.
Please feel free to contact ORIK for more information on PRP Injection Therapy or to book an appointment with our specialists.