Treating Your Pain with PRP Injections

Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet Rich Plasma Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is a procedure that uses your body’s natural healing properties to decrease the amount of time it takes to heal injuries to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Often PRP is used to help treat a tear caused by a recent athletic injury or to help with joint pain. This procedure is relatively simple, minimally invasive, and performed in an outpatient environment. 

Common Conditions Treated
with PRP

  • Arthritis
  • Tendon tears 
  • Tendonitis 
  • Tennis elbow 
  • Golfers elbow 
  • Achilles injuries 
  • Plantar Fasciitis 
  • Rotator Cuff Pathology

Patients with musculoskeletal injuries, or anyone experiencing joint pain could benefit from PRP. David came to us experiencing some pain in his ankle, watch the video to see how we helped him get back on the golf course.

Who can Benefit?

Professional and amateur athletes alike have been taking advantage of PRP, as well as patients with muscle injuries, or anyone experiencing joint pain. David came to us experiencing some pain in his ankle, watch the video and see how we helped him get back on the golf course.

How does PRP Work?

Blood is made up of  a few different things.   The liquid part (plasma) is made of water, salts, and proteins.   More than half your blood is plasma.  The solid part of your blood contains Red blood cells (oxygen transporters), white blood cells (infection fighters and immune system) and platelets (which help blood clot when you get a cut).

Platelets are the the part of your blood that are best known for clotting.  They  also contain hundreds of wonderful proteins called growth factors. These proteins are vital in the healing process.  Plasma is the  fluid or portion of your blood that the platelets are suspended in.  A vial of your blood  is treated to create a dose which is concentrated  in these healing proteins and plasma. This concentrated dose is called Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP.  In other words, we focus your bodies healing proteins directly into the area needing it.

diagram of vein and blood components

What is the Procedure Like?

PRP is an outpatient procedure. We begin by drawing 15-30 cc of your blood and placing it into a machine called a Centrifuge. This machine spins the blood at rates of 3,500 revolutions per minute, and separates the plasma from the red and white blood cells. The resulting plasma contains 4-10 times the normal concentration of platelets. We are able to take this resulting platelet rich plasma concentration (PRP) prepare it for injection. A radiologist who is specifically trained will inject the PRP using Ultrasound Guidance to ensure it is placed in the precise location to be treated. Musculoskeletal Radiologists are highly trained in the body’s system of bones, joints, and associated soft tissues. This makes them the ideal specialist to administer PRP.

picture of centrifuge

After your Injection

Post-procedure, you can expect the area to feel swollen and mildly painful, often compared to a dull ache. This is a good sign indicating the injection is working.

The injected area will also become mildly inflamed. This is because when your body sustains an injury, the area becomes swollen to start to the natural process your body uses to heal itself.

Steroid injections and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen do the opposite. These methods are good for relieving pain but will slow the healing process.

After 2-5 days you can expect the pain to start receding.

The injection will increase strength in the area, reduce pain, and improve overall function for the long term.

Doctor

Jahed

Kiarash Jahed MD.

Hear from our Patients

Our experts are specifically trained to assess a diverse range of medical conditions, ensuring a detailed discussion on the most effective diagnostic procedures and optimal treatment plans.

This approach provides our patients with a comprehensive understanding of their health situation and the best pathways to recovery.

Benjamin Thompson

My experience with Dr. Couvillon and his team was very positive. I was nervous and apprehensive about my UFE procedure but Dr. Couvillon and his entire team have the medical knowledge and people skills that put my uneasiness to rest quickly. I would recommend this practice to my friends and family. I’m grateful for such a positive medical experience with this facility.

Sophia Anderson

Dr. Couvillon is a genius. He found the reason for my pain and after the procedure, I was 100% better. I can eat again. The tech was thorough and I felt confident in the results. She is the best. I am thankful that I was able to connect with Winchester Radiologists. Courtney, thank you for scheduling me so quickly. Dr. Fox, thank you for your amazing kindness and persistence in scheduling my procedure.

Emily Parker

Dr. Jahed is a wonderful physician. I was seen by him for pain in my thumb caused by internal swelling around the connection to the hand. He explained what was causing my pain and the best treatment. He gave me my second injection today, my first one was about 5months ago. When he gives the injection, it is not painful at all. He listens and explains things very well. I recommend Dr. Jahed highly – a wonderful physician.

Noah Lewis

I found the receptionist to be friendly and courteous, a very clean space, was taken back within 5 minutes of arrival, staff was very friendly and courteous, the Dr was very thorough and answered our questions.
I give it 5 stars!