What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy offers a natural, biological therapy approach that is capable of activating your body´s own healing and regenerative properties derived from your own blood. PRP contains proteins and platelets that help support cell growth, tissue healing and repair.
PRP injection therapy is classified as Regenerative Medicine that has a proven efficacy in the repair and regeneration of connective tissue in cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. PRP is used to treat orthopaedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, improved joint function, tendon and ligament injuries and sports injuries.

Several clinical studies have shown PRP to be as effective as Stem cell therapy for arthritic knees, hips and joint repair.

How does PRP work?

Our blood contains platelets which are tiny specialised immune cells that not only help in blood clotting but also help in the activation of immune messenger substances called cytokines and growth factors that trigger stem cells found in your connective tissue to initiate cell growth and tissue repair, e.g. growth of chondrocytes (cartilage formation)) and fibroblasts (connective tissue formation). This cascade of events has a beneficial effect in the repair and regeneration of tendons, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bone and blood vessels.

What to expect during your PRP treatment?

1. Our Osteopath Sean Paynter will collect a small amount of blood from your arm into a sterilised collecting tube. The amount of blood collected depends on where the PRP will be injected but it is usually between 10-20ml.
2. The collecting tube is placed into a centrifuge. This machine is spun very quickly, causing the blood components to separate, concentrating a large number of platelets in a small plasma volume. The separation process is done twice (double spin method) and takes about 30 minutes.
3. Sean will then select the platelet rich/concentrated part of the plasma and prepare it for injection into the affected area.
4. Sean will then inject the PRP into the affected area. The procedure is no more painful than any other injection, therefore, a local anaesthetic is not necessary during PRP treatment.

What is included in my PRP treatment?

• Osteopathic consultation, assessment/orthopaedic special tests, diagnosis and treatment.
• Exercise rehabilitation aftercare program and advice to give the best results and outcome.

Please note: Typically 2-3 PRP sessions are required every 3-6 weeks in more moderate to severe conditions/injuries.

INDICATION FOR PRP THERAPY

• Chronic joint pain and osteoarthritis
• Limited response to manual therapy and pain management.
• People who are unfit for joint replacement
• People who wish to delay or avoid surgery.
• For a quicker recovery (essential in professional sport)
• Tendinopathy, tendonitis and bursitis.
• Muscle tears and injury
• Tendon and ligament tears/partial ruptures.
• Planta fasciitis
• Prevention or delay in further degenerative changes to arthritic conditions.

Top elite athletes and sport clubs around the world use PRP to treat injuries and conditions including rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingements, bursitis, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, tendinopathies, pre or post surgery support for tissue repair and quicker recovery.

This promising innovative therapy is now available at the Brooks-Carter Clinic along with regenerative Ozone injection therapy for herniated discs, joint and muscle pain and repair.

 What are the benefits of PRP?

• Reconstruction of the injured tissue
• Prevention of painful inflammatory processes
• Improvement in mobility
• Delay in progression of degenerative disease and the need for an artificial joint
• Reduction of analgesics (pain killers)

 What are the possible side effects and risks of PRP?

• Pain and discomfort for a few days as part of the repair and regenerative process.
• Temporary bruising and tenderness at the injection site.
• Temporary nerve irritation/injury to peripheral nerves (very rare)
• There is an extremely low risk (0.01%) of infection after the procedure.

How long do the benefits last?

A course of three injections, in 3-6 week intervals, have been found to provide significant benefits for an average of 12-18 months in moderate to severe knee and hip osteoarthritis and permanent recovery of tendinopathies, muscular tears and ligamentous injuries.

Is PRP right for me?

PRP treatment should be considered for people who are not finding effective symptom and pain relief for their musculoskeletal related condition from other conservative treatments, and where surgery may not be considered an appropriate option.

PRP recovery

It is possible that you may experience some localised pain and swelling from the injection due to the inflammatory response, which normally subsides within 72 hours but can last up to a week. There are no lasting side effects of the treatment.

It is recommended that you minimise your activities for 14 days and undergo rehabilitation.

Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of one injection (depending on severity).

The effect of the treatment may take 3-4 weeks to become evident following the injection, with a gradual improvement over the coming weeks and months. Studies suggest one injection can last at least 12-18 months and will delay the need for surgical joint replacements over time especially if maintenance is kept up every 12 months.

Appointment:

Please contact the Brooks-Carter Clinic for any further enquiries or to discuss with Sean how PRP can help you!

Consultation and treatment is carried out by Sean Paynter BSc (Hons) Ost. Med; DO, ND a qualified, experienced and competent Osteopath, fully certified to carry out Regenerative Ozone Injection and PRP Therapy.