Health Begins Here. We are excited to share that Voyage Healthcare now offers Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections exclusively at our Osseo location by Daniel Johnson, D.O. (Family Medicine), Kaitlyn Laube Ward, DPM (Podiatry) and Becky Mullin, DPM (Podiatry).
Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, is produced from your own blood. The platelets are the cells in our body that contain growth factors, which stimulate the normal wound healing process, e.g. the same way that your skin heals after a scrape. With PRP, you create a supra-therapeutic level of your own platelets (over 500% more platelets than normal blood) so that you heighten the healing of a chronically injured tissue. In most cases, we need to remove scar tissue from the injured site by performing a ‘percutaneous needle fenestration or debridement’. This procedure allows platelets to work in the injured site. Your provider may choose to use ultrasound guidance to confirm placement of the PRP in the correct tissue.
PRP therapy is indicated for injuries that have failed to heal despite traditional treatment options. It can be performed in any musculoskeletal structure, including muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments all over the body. Some examples include: partial tendon tears, muscle strains, ligament sprains/partial tears, articular cartilage injury, and chronic tendon injuries. Discuss with your provider if PRP is indicated for you.
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To prepare PRP, blood is taken from your arm with a special kit similar to a normal blood test. It is then placed in a special centrifugation machine that separates the platelets from the blood in order to be extracted in a concentrated form called PRP. The entire PRP Therapy takes about 45 minutes.
Most patients achieve successful outcomes with only one injection. In some cases, a series of three injections is required to achieve significant results. Each injection is spaced several weeks apart. There is no limit to the number of treatments you can have; however, literature has shown that about 15% of patients do not see improvement with more than three injections and should consider other treatments.
PRP stimulates healing of the injured tissue by activating your body’s natural healing capacity. Patients on average report more than 50% improvement in 6 weeks and up to 100% improvement in 12 weeks. This may eliminate the need for more aggressive and expensive treatment options such as long-term medication or surgery. In addition, PRP Therapy is a minimally-invasive procedure that is done in the clinic; therefore, you go home the same day.
Since your own blood is used, there is no risk for transmitted blood-infections. PRP has a strong antibacterial effect so risk of local infection is minimal. It is normal to have increased soreness or pain after the procedure for an average of three days. Your provider may recommend taking Acetaminophen for pain relief following the procedure.
Since this is a fairly new procedure, most insurance companies have not incorporated it yet to their list of approved procedures and do not consider this to be a reimbursable expense. There are various PRP packages to suit your needs. All packages include the PRP kit, blood draw, centrifugation machine, disposable equipment, ultrasound guidance (if needed), and the actual procedure. A brace or boot may be indicated in some cases (additional fee).
In order to optimize the healing of the tissue and decrease the risk of causing further damage. Limit any movement of the treated area for the first three days after the procedure. Avoid lifting or any strenuous activity for the first seven days. If a brace or boot was provided, you should wear it during the first 7 days. A post-PRP rehabilitation program will be discussed with your provider. On average, sports-related drills are begun at 8 weeks from the procedure, and return to play of sports without restrictions usually occurs at 12 weeks from the procedure.
Our five convenient locations are each staffed with experienced, friendly and caring physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical staff.
We pride ourselves on creating a personal and welcoming experience where you will be greeted by name and never treated like a number.
