Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with Exosomes
PRP is a therapy produced from the patient’s own blood that is made up of plasma and a high concentration of platelets. It works by concentrating platelets from your own blood to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and speed up the recovery process.Under the guidance of fluoroscopy imaging, PRP is injected directly into the affected area, delivering a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines to promote healing at the injury site.
How Does Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment Work?
The Procedure
PRP injections are an office based procedure that can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how long it takes to draw the blood. After check-in, the patient will have between 30-60cc of blood drawn into a special syringe. The syringe is then placed into a FDA approved centrifuge machine, which will separate the PRP from the rest of the blood. The separated PRP is drawn into another syringe, which will be injected under fluoroscopy image guidance into the affected area.
How Does it Work?
Platelets are best known for their role with blood clotting. They contain growth factors, which are proteins that assist in the rebuilding process of healing tissue. Placing a very high concentration of these growth factors near injured areas accelerates the body’s natural healing response. Additionally, PRP can be formulated to have an anti-inflammatory effect when used in osteoarthritis. PRP has been in clinical use since as early as the late 1980s for dental, orthopedic and plastic surgery procedures.
Patient Preparation
Before Treatment
- No corticosteroids for two to three weeks prior to the procedure.
- No anticoagulation use five days prior to the injection
- Increase fluid intake in the 24 hours prior to the procedure.
- Discontinue use of NSAIDs one week prior to the procedure. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and nabumeton.
Recovery After Treatment
- Avoid strenuous and prolonged activities.
- Do not twist, compress, or overexert the area of treatment.
- Avoid use of anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen Sodium, Meloxicam).
- Stay hydrated and eat as healthy as possible, avoiding sugar.
- For the first 2 days after your injection, do not submerge in lakes, bathtubs, or jacuzzi’s.
- Do not use heating pads or icepacks.
- No scratching if the injection site is itching.
- Schedule your follow up visits.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ section answers common questions about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with Exosomes.
Who is a good candidate?
Anyone interested in avoiding steroid shots, surgery, or pain medications, is a good candidate. Professional athletes have chosen PRP treatment over surgery for years because the recovery time is significantly reduced and it is a safer, natural way to heal. PRP can treat both chronic and acute conditions ranging from arthritis pain to pain in your shoulder, back, elbow, knee, or hip.
Are there any risks?
Because the therapy uses a patient’s own blood, there are typically no negative side effects. Most patients tolerate PRP therapy quite well, although some patients report post-injection soreness.
How long does it take to work?
The results of PRP treatment are most noticeable after several weeks for joint injections and are not permanent; patients may require additional injections at the direction of their doctor.
