Injectable Treatment Uses Your Own Body’s Inflammation Fighters

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is injected directly into an injured area using concentrated growth factors drawn from a patient’s own blood. Studies have shown that PRP has been effective in treating chronic tendon injuries, including knees, elbows and hips. The entire process, from drawing the blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the plasma, to patient injection, takes about 20 minutes.

Brad Thomas, MD, orthopedic surgeon and faculty member at the UCLA Department of Orthopedics was an early adopter of the treatment. He has been treating patients with it for nearly 10 years and now teaches other orthopedic surgeons how to successfully administer PRP.

“Growth factors in the blood decrease the inflammatory process, decrease pain and speed natural healing,” says Dr. Thomas. “Initially we were treating acute injuries with PRP but now use it to treat arthritis in most every joint, from hands to hips.”

PRP is thought to regenerate cartilage. But the time to consider it is before there has been excessive cartilage damage. The ideal candidate has mild cartilage loss and wants to slow down the process.

Studies have shown that PRP can be as effective as steroid injections, with virtually no side effects except for injection site pain. Some patients benefit from a single injections but most need more than one, says Dr. Thomas. The treatment lasts for about six months. Unfortunately, insurance is unlikely to cover it.

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