PRP Injections

What exactly is PRP Injection therapy?

PRP Injections, or palette-rich plasma therapy, are highly effective treatments that involve injecting a concentrated form of a patient’s own platelets to encourage regeneration and healing in damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints.

Blood consists of plasma, proteins, and three essential components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that promote blood clotting. Platelets contain growth factors crucial for the healing process, such as vascular endothelial growth factors.

Ordinary blood typically contains around 200,000 platelets per microliter, while PRP concentrates these platelets to over 1 million per microliter through centrifugation, significantly amplifying the availability of vital growth factors by five times.

Once injected into the impaired tissue, this highly concentrated platelet density attracts reparative cells and effectively reduces inflammation. Multiple PRP Injection treatments can continue releasing healing and anti-inflammatory factors for several months.¹

What conditions can PRP Injections treat?

The skilled medical professionals at All American Medical employ PRP Injections to successfully treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Ankle Sprains
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries
• Neck & Back Pain
• Plantar fasciitis chronic
• Hip and Knee Pain
• Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) injuries
• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries
• Muscle Strains and Tears
• Osteoarthritis
• Pelvic Pain
• Rotator Cuff Tears
• Spine-Related issues
• Tendonitis
• Tennis Elbow

And many more.

Who should consider PRP Injections for pain?

PRP Injections are an excellent option for individuals suffering from chronic joint or muscle pain or injuries. Consider this treatment if:

• You seek faster healing for an acute injury.
• You have been experiencing pain for more than three months (chronic).
• Lifestyle changes and physical therapy have not provided adequate relief.
• You desire a surgical alternative.
• You wish to avoid the use of potent prescription painkillers.

PLEASE NOTE: PRP treatment should not be sought if you have severe anemia, a low platelet count, or a systemic infection.

How long does platelet-rich plasma therapy take?

Typically, each PRP Injection treatment session lasts approximately one hour. Following the procedure, most patients can immediately resume their daily activities, including work.

The PRP Injection procedure at All American Medical

1. To begin the procedure, we draw 10cc to 20cc of your whole blood and use advanced blood centrifugation techniques to separate the plasma from the other components.
2. Next, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the injection site, ensuring a comfortable experience.
3. The concentrated plasma is then precisely injected into the source of your pain, often a joint or tendon, with the assistance of ultrasound imaging for accurate targeting.
4. From that point onward, your body takes over the healing process.

Patients who undergo PRP treatments often experience renewed abilities to engage in daily activities without pain or the limitations of past injuries.

How long will PRP Injections provide pain relief?

Within a couple of days, and sometimes even a few hours, you should notice a remarkable reduction in pain. While some individuals achieve immediate relief after a single treatment, others may require injections every four to six weeks.

The frequency of treatments can range from a single injection to several injections over a few months, depending on the specific condition being treated.

One of our medical professionals will provide you with realistic expectations based on the severity of your condition and current pain levels.

Post PRP Injection recommendations 

PLEASE NOTE: Aspirin should not be taken for two weeks following your PRP therapy, as it may decrease the effectiveness of growth factors.²

1. Rest the injected area for 24-48 hours, avoiding strenuous activity. Gentle movement is okay.
2. You may take Tylenol as needed to manage discomfort. Avoid aspirin and NSAIDS for two weeks after the injections.
3. Keep the injection sites clean and dry. Gently clean with soap and water if needed.
4. Use compression (ace bandage, compression sleeve) to minimize swelling if injected in joints or extremities.
5. Begin gentle stretching and movements a few days after the procedure to prevent stiffness. Avoid strenuous activity for at least one week.
6. Contact your primary care doctor or All American Medical if the injected areas become red, warm and extremely painful.

Is platelet-rich plasma injection therapy suitable for you?

The regenerative medicine team at All American Medical will help you determine if PRP is right for you. 

For questions about PRP injections or to make an appointment, please get in touch with our Covington clinic at (985) 893-2223 or our Hammond clinic at (985) 350-6110.

All American Medical’s regenerative medicine specialists

Clinical research studies supporting PRP Injections

(1) Han, Yanhong et al. “Meta-analysis Comparing Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.” Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) vol. 20,7 (2019): 1418-1429. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz011

(2) Jayaram P, Yeh P, Patel SJ, et al. Effects of Aspirin on Growth Factor Release From Freshly Isolated Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma in Healthy Men: A Prospective Fixed-Sequence Controlled Laboratory Study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019;47(5):1223-1229. doi:10.1177/0363546519827294