ST. GEORGE — Autologous platelet-rich plasma injections effectively repair acute ligament and muscle injuries, degenerative conditions and post-operative wounds. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure has been shown to alleviate inflammation, reduce pain and aid the body’s natural healing process.
PRP injection therapy is one of many medically advanced treatment options available at Southwest Spine and Pain Center.
What is PRP injection therapy?
Blood contains bioactive proteins that promote healing, encourage cellular growth, regeneration of damaged tissue and the formation of new blood vessels. PRP injections are created through a process that involves using the patient’s own blood to target areas of pain and inflammation.
A patient’s medical history, current health status and injury will be thoroughly evaluated for treatment eligibility. Once cleared for PRP injection therapy, patients must discontinue the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 10 days.
What can I expect from the procedure?
Approximately 20 milliliters of blood will be collected and placed in a centrifuge to create platelet-rich plasma. Centrifugation of the patient’s blood takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and will separate platelets and white blood cells, plasma and red blood cells, creating a substance that is rich in healing properties.
After the blood’s components are separated, a portion of plasma is mixed with concentrated platelets to create the solution. Depending on the patient’s injury, 2-8 milliliters of PRP may be injected into the affected area. Additional injections will be considered for patients with multiple injuries.
Concentrated platelets deliver growth factors, stem cells and macrophages (specialized white blood cells) to damaged tissue to remove damaged cells. This process stimulates the body’s immune response for proper healing. Patients may feel minimal pain during and after the injection.
PRP injection therapy requires numerous phases and could take an hour to complete. After the procedure, patients will be permitted to return home that same day and resume their normal, daily activities. Additional treatments may be needed to return to pre-injury functionality.
What conditions benefit from PRP injection therapy?
This procedure is usually recommended for patients with damaged tissue or chronic tendon conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis). PRP may also treat the following injuries and conditions:
- Acute ligament and muscle injuries
- Arthritis of the knee, hip, spine and shoulder
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Tendinitis
- Pelvic pain and instability
Risks and complications
Since the nature of PRP is to use the patient’s own blood, the risk of serious complications are relatively minimal. Nevertheless, adverse effects from PRP injection therapy are possible and could include increased pain near the injection site, infection, tissue damage and nerve injuries.
Are you a candidate for PRP injection therapy?
Generally speaking, individuals who have early-stage osteoarthritis who have not benefited from conservative treatments like physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, joint aspirations or steroid injections, are candidates for PRP injections.
Other ideal candidates may include those with sports injuries, ligament and muscle injuries or tendinitis. Those suffering from advanced, degenerative bone and tissue conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are not ideal candidates for this procedure.
Schedule your PRP injection therapy consultation at Southwest Spine and Pain Center today.
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Resources
- Southwest Spine and Pain in St. George: 652 S. Medical Center Drive, Suite 110 | Telephone 435-656-2424 | Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon | website
- Other locations
- Hurricane: 25 N. 2000 West, Suite 8 | Telephone: 435-635-0174 | Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Read more
- Cedar City: 1303 N. Main Street | Telephone: 435-586-2229 | Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon
- Richfield: 1000 N. Main Street, Suite 2C | Telephone: 435-986-7156 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Logan: 630 E. 1400 North, Suite 135 | Telephone: 435-787-8146 | Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunset Clinic: 2107 W. Sunset Blvd., St. George, Suite 102 | Telephone: 435-619-8630 | Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Mt. Pleasant: 1100 S. Medical Drive | Telephone: 435-986-7156 | Hours: Thursday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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I received a PRP injection in my knee and it was wonderful. I can’t believe how much it helped. I recommend it. Southwest Spine and Pain is where I received that injection, by Dr. Frieden. Now the downside is that most insurance companies won’t cover it, YET, cause it’s still in the ‘trial and error’ phase. And you have to get it done once or twice a year. They also do a procedure called ‘Radiofrequency’ where they go in and ‘kill’ the nerves that cause pain. I’ve had that done a few times on both hips and my neck. Those have lasted me as long as a year and a half. That’s how good they are. I also highly recommend Southwest Spine and Pain. The doctors, Rick Obray, Jon Obray, and Derek Frieden, here in the St. George offices are great and care very much about their patients, as do their P.A.s, F.N.P.s, nurses and staff. I give them 5 stars!