Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a cutting-edge treatment in sports medicine for muscle, tendon, joint, ligament, and cartilage injuries. Many professional athletes, including Kobe Bryant, have embraced this treatment because it can significantly shorten recovery time and get athletes back into the game more quickly.
The procedure is straightforward. A PRP injection doctor introduces a solution containing the patient’s own platelets, which are a normal component of blood that contain growth/healing factors, to the injured area. First, the doctor draws a small amount of blood from the patient’s arm. Then the blood is spun in a centrifuge, which separates out the platelets and concentrates the platelets and growth factors. This concentrated combination of platelets and growth factors acts like a super-healing booster shot which has the ability to heal injured tissue.
The doctor then breaks up the scar tissue at the injury site and uses ultrasound to guide the injection with great precision to where it is needed most.
This procedure is safe, and it provides a promising new non-surgical treatment to the current options available to the sports doctor. PRP injections appear to be especially useful for managing injuries that do not respond to other types of treatments.
If you or a loved one needs insight from an experienced and respected Bay Area sports injury specialist, please call our office today at 415-923-0944 to schedule a consultation and intake evaluation with Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht.
