Platelets are one of the top tools your body uses to naturally restore damaged tissues. At Lighthouse Medical Center, we have years of experience harnessing the regenerative power of platelets with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A precise injection of PRP at the site of an arthritic joint or injured soft tissue and bone triggers the growth of new cells to repair and heal the targeted problem. To learn more about the benefits of PRP Injections, call the office in Pompano Beach, Florida, or schedule an appointment online. We also service patients from Boca Sunrise, Plantation, Ft Lauderdale, Cooper City, West Palm Beach, Weston, Miami, and Coconut Creek
PRP Injections Q & A
What is PRP?
As its name describes, PRP is blood plasma that contains a high concentration of platelets, significantly more than the typical amount of platelets in a blood sample. When PRP is used in an injection, the higher concentration is essential to produce a therapeutic effect and promote healing.
How does PRP relieve pain and help tissues heal?
Platelets are one of your body’s natural healers because they contain proteins called growth factors. When you suffer an injury or disease, platelets immediately travel to the area and release their growth factors.
Growth factors regenerate tissues and accelerate the healing process by:
- Triggering the production of new tissues
- Preventing the degeneration of healthy tissues
- Reducing inflammation
The activity of PRP leads to the regeneration of new muscle, ligament, tendon, cartilage, blood vessels, and fat — producing all the tissues needed to repair the specific injury or health condition.
Where does my PRP come from?
You don’t need to worry about blood safety or having a bad reaction to PRP because your own blood is used for your PRP injection.
Your provider at Lighthouse Medical Center draws your blood, then processes it in a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates platelets and plasma from the other blood cells, making it easy to extract the concentrated platelets for your injection.
When might I benefit from a PRP injection?
PRP is often used to heal soft tissue injuries and degenerative joint diseases. This therapy is especially beneficial when your injury is slow to heal because it lacks a good blood supply, a problem that’s prevalent in tendons and the meniscus in your knee.
These are a few examples of conditions that may benefit from PRP:
- Osteoarthritis
- Meniscus tear
- Anterior cruciate ligament injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Chronic tendonitis and tendinosis
- Acute ligament and muscle injuries
PRP therapy is often recommended for athletes who suffer sports injuries, but it also helps older adults, as the healing response tends to slow down over time.
PRP may be part of your integrative treatment plan developed at Lighthouse Medical Center. For a thorough exam and to receive individualized care, call the office or schedule an appointment online.