Could Medical Injections (PRP) Accelerate My Recovery?

The majority of orthopedic problems tend to respond to targeted and appropriate physiotherapy and exercise interventions. If an injury isn’t responding to this, and other traditional treatments, a biologic injection may help accelerate your healing.

Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is a product produced from your own blood. A certain type of cell, called platelets, circulates through your body and is very important to allow blood to clot properly.  These platelets and the liquid plasma found in blood also have many factors needed for cell regeneration.   These factors also help in cells multiplying and distinguishing them as a certain type of cell (specialization).  These processes are all required for normal healing.

During a PRP treatment, a small amount of blood is taken (usually from the front of your elbow like a typical blood draw) and placed in a centrifuge.  This is a specialized machine that spins the blood at such a speed that it separates the blood into its different components.  The Platelet Rich Plasma component is then drawn off and injected into the area needing treatment.
PRP is used on various targets in the body with various goals in mind.  Although you may have heard of it being used in cosmetic face injections and to aid in hair growth, the majority of PRP use is for soft tissue orthopaedic problems. Potential benefits include decreased pain, decrease in swelling and quicker recovery time for some.

Is PRP an option for my problem?

The greatest benefits are seen for mild- moderate arthritis, Achilles tendinopathy and tennis elbow. Below are additional problems where PRP may accelerate healing:

Foot & Ankle:

Achilles, posterior tibial tendon, peroneal tendinopathy
Ankle sprains
Plantar fasciitis
Arthritis of the great toe, ankle

Knee:

Knee Arthritis
Ligamentous injuries (MCL, LCL, ACL)
Meniscal tears
IT band syndrome
Patellar and Quadriceps tendinopathy

Shoulder:

Rotator cuff tears
Shoulder impingement

Elbow:

Golfer’s elbow
Tennis elbow
Triceps tendinopathy

Hip:

Greater trochanteric bursitis

I’m interested in PRP, how should I proceed?

PRP is best used for speeding up recovery of certain acute injuries, or to treat certain problems that aren’t improving despite the appropriate conservative measures including physiotherapy, bracing and rest. If you are interested in expediting your recovery from an acute injury or, feel you aren’t progressing with your current treatment, discuss this with your physiotherapist for more information.

By Dr. Lauren E. Roberts (MD, MSc, FRCSC)
www.drlaurenroberts.com/biologics

Dr. Lauren Roberts is pleased to be offering PRP out of our Cambie (West 8th/Ash) location as of February 2024.