Georgios Panagopoulos MD | Orthopaedic Surgeon
Table of contents
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is part of a series of treatments that are available in orthopaedics, known as orthobiologics. The term orthobiologics refers to substances that are naturally present in the human body and are thought to be able to stimulate healing of bone, tendon, muscle and cartilage. Commonly used orthobiologics include PRP, stem cells and grafts/scaffolds. These treatments are all part of a new emerging and promising branch, called Regenerative Medicine. PRP derives from the patient’s own blood. PRP is essentially blood plasma with concentrated platelets. Platelets contain in great quantity growth factors that are crucial for initiating the tissue repair and regeneration process.
What does the procedure involve?
A small quantity of blood (10ml) will be taken from you from a vein in your arm. This blood is placed in a tube that is transferred to a machine called centrifuge, that spins it and separates the different blood components. The surgeon will then extract the platelet-rich plasma, mix it with local anaesthetic and inject it in the area of injury under ultrasound guidance. PRP has a much higher concentration of growth factors (5 times more). By having a PRP injection, we aim to stimulate your body’s ability to heal itself. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, has minimal risks and causes minimal pain.
Who might benefit from PRP?
Current indications for PRP include the following:
- Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy/partial tears
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Knee cartilage defects and osteoarthritis
- Muscle injuries (sprains or tears)
- As an adjuvant during surgery (surgical augmentation) for rotator cuff repairs, achilles repairs, ligament repairs, etc.
Multiple studies have been performed to assess the efficacy of PRP injections for a multitude of conditions. Results are encouraging, but definitive recommendations cannot be made at this stage. The strongest data exist for PRP use in the treatment of tennis elbow and are very promising. PRP is not a solution for everything and there many situations in which is use is not justified. Dr Panagopoulos believes the in the right patient and for the right condition, PRP can relieve symptoms, help with tissue healing, and delay or eliminate the need for surgery
What's the cost of biological treatments?
The cost of the procedure is reasonable. Please contact us for more details.
If you suffer from tendonitis or ligament injury, please schedule a consultation for an expert opinion.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What's PRP?
PRP is essentially blood plasma with concentrated platelets. Platelets contain in great quantity growth factors that are crucial for initiating the tissue repair and regeneration process.
What does the procedure involve?
A small quantity of blood (10ml) will be taken from you from a vein in your arm. This blood is placed in a tube that is transferred to a machine called centrifuge, that spins it and separates the different blood components. The surgeon will then extract the platelet-rich plasma, mix it with local anaesthetic and inject it in the area of injury under ultrasound guidance.
How long does it take?
The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes.
What are the current indications?
– Tennis/golfer’s elbow -> that's the strongest indication yet
– Tendonitis (achilles, cuff, etc.)
– Plantar fasciitis
– Adjuvant to surgery
Find us
Book an appointment with us today