How PRP Can Help a Sports Injury

Millions of active Americans suffer sports injuries each year. Most of these injuries are mild, but without proper treatment can keep you from exercise and other activities you love for an extended period. 

For severe injuries, you might assume surgery is your only treatment option, but that isn’t the case. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is changing how sports injuries are treated and speeding up recovery times.

At North Valley Orthopedic Institute in Mission Hills and Tarzana, California, Dr. Ramin Ganjianpour regularly administers PRP therapy. Here, we explore how it works and the types of injuries it treats.

Understanding PRP therapy

PRP therapy is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that supports your body’s natural healing process. It uses a solution, platelet-rich plasma, to increase blood flow to an injury site, reduce inflammation, and encourage the growth of healthy new cells and tissue.

Blood is a liquid that contains microscopic solids, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets primarily help with clotting but also contain growth factors. These growth factors are unique because they support wound healing and blood vessel formation. 

During PRP therapy, your provider takes a blood sample and isolates the platelets in a highly concentrated solution. We inject the solution into a specific area — such as a torn muscle or sprained ligament — activating your body’s healing process.

What types of sports injuries can benefit from PRP therapy?

North Valley Orthopedic Institute uses PRP therapy to treat various sports injuries, including:

• Chronic neck and back pain
• Muscle, tendon, and ligament tears and ruptures
• Wear-and-tear injuries, such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder, hip, and knee
• Rotator cuff injuries

Sometimes, the team uses PRP therapy as a complement to orthopedic surgery. For example, your provider might administer PRP injections after knee surgery or hip surgery to reduce swelling and speed up your recovery.

PRP therapy: What to expect

PRP therapy is a relatively quick procedure, usually taking less than an hour. To start, your provider draws blood from your arm and places it in a centrifuge. This machine spins rapidly, separating your platelets from the rest of your blood and creating a nutrient-rich solution.

Once the PRP is ready, your provider uses ultrasound-guided imaging to inject it into areas like your neck, shoulder, or lower back. The PRP solution increases circulation to the treatment site, reduces pain and inflammation, and spurs the growth of new cells and tissue.

There’s no downtime after treatment, so you can immediately return to work and other activities. It’s normal to experience mild swelling and bruising at the treatment site, so you may want to ice the area or take an over-the-counter painkiller for relief.

Does PRP require more than one treatment?

Yes. PRP therapy is a cumulative treatment, meaning the results add up over time. The team at North Valley Orthopedic Institute typically recommends at least three PRP sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. 

At each checkup, your provider reexamines the injury site, asks about your symptoms, and completes diagnostic imaging (like an X-ray or ultrasound). Most sports injuries heal by the end of the third session, but you might need a fourth PRP injection if your injury is severe.*

For optimal results, follow your provider’s recovery instructions, attend each checkup, and avoid rushing back into athletic activities. Easing into your routine can bolster your recovery and boost your chances for success.

Contact North Valley Orthopedic Institute today if you’re ready to learn more about PRP therapy. Call the office near you or request an appointment online.

*Individual results may vary.