Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections are a type of orthopedic therapy doctors use to accelerate healing and relieve pain from damaged joints, tendons, and ligaments. Doctors inject a mixture of platelets and plasma from the patient’s blood directly into affected areas to promote healing. This therapy is beneficial for athletes, as it can speed up their recovery after sports-related injuries. Here is how doctors use PRP injections in sports medicine:
How PRP Injections Work
During a PRP treatment session, your doctor takes a sample of your blood and spins it in a centrifuge to isolate the plasma. Platelet rich plasma contains a higher concentration of white blood cells and platelets than is found in the blood circulating in your body. This plasma contains a concentrated mixture of platelets containing growth factors and cytokines. During treatment, doctors use an ultrasound to guide the needle to the injured area, where they inject the PRP. When injected into an injury site, the growth factors contained in the platelets stimulate tissue regeneration and new cell growth, repair damaged vessels, and reduce inflammation.
Candidates for PRP Therapy
Sports medicine doctors can use PRP injections to treat soft tissue injuries. Before recommending PRP, your doctor evaluates your medical history and conducts a physical exam to determine the extent of your injury. Individuals with the following orthopedic conditions may be treated with PRP injections:
Chronic Tendon Injuries
Tendon injuries are common among athletes, as sports involve abrupt, repeated movements that can cause gradual wear and tear to the tendons. PRP injections aim to reduce pain and improve function in patients suffering from chronic tendinopathies like tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and jumper’s knee. The growth factors in PRP may speed up the repair of worn or torn tendon fibers, promoting faster healing.
Joint Pain
Joint pain resulting from injuries or overuse can impair an athlete’s performance and compromise their career growth. PRP injections into the joints may reduce inflammation and stimulate cartilage regeneration. The injections also stimulate joint lubrication, which eases stiffness and restores joint functionality.
Muscles Injuries
Due to high collision risk, athletes in contact sports like American football, basketball, and soccer are vulnerable to muscle injuries. Muscles across joints, such as the hamstrings and quadriceps, are particularly susceptible to injuries. PRP injections promote tissue regeneration in injured muscles and reduce chronic muscle pain.
Ligament Injuries
Athletes who participate in sports involving sudden twisting motions are at risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. When used to treat ligament injuries, PRP can cause the tendon cells to multiply faster. It helps produce collagen, which repairs the injured ligaments. The collagen may also make the ligaments stronger and tighter, minimizing the risk of future injuries.
Experience Healing With Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
Platelet rich plasma injections offer a minimally invasive treatment for soft tissue injuries affecting the muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. This treatment can accelerate healing and strengthen injured tissues, minimizing athletes’ risk of future injuries and enhancing their sports performance. Because doctors create PRP from the patient’s blood, there is minimal risk of allergic reactions to the injections. Schedule an appointment with a PRP specialist for an examination to determine if you are a candidate for PRP therapy.
