Platelets are cells that represent about 4% of the overall blood mass. Containing growth factors, platelets are found in every individual in normal conditions.
Growth factors have proven effective in stimulating the healing of damaged connective tissues.
In general, this treatment is reserved for patients without satisfying results from usual conservative treatments (anti-inflammatory, physiotherapy, cortisone injection, etc.). However, specialists are increasingly recommending this treatment, particularly to athletes or people looking for effective cortisone-free treatment.
Platelets-rich Plasma (PRP) and Arthrosis
Platelets are found in everybody’s blood. The main function of platelets is blood clotting. They contain growth factors that have proven effective in stimulating scarring and speeding up healing in joints affected by arthrosis. PRP is an encouraging treatment for patients suffering from osteoarthrosis.
Platelets are found in everybody’s blood. The main function of platelets is blood clotting. They contain growth factors that have proven effective in stimulating scarring and speeding up healing in joints affected by arthrosis. PRP is an encouraging treatment for patients suffering from osteoarthrosis.
Intra-discal Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)
This treatment involves injecting PRP into a disc. After confirming that a patient’s chronic low back pain is discogenic (originating from a disc), a few millilitres of PRP are injected in the affected disc to regenerate old and deteriorated tissues.
This treatment involves injecting PRP into a disc. After confirming that a patient’s chronic low back pain is discogenic (originating from a disc), a few millilitres of PRP are injected in the affected disc to regenerate old and deteriorated tissues.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infiltration is used in refractory cases of tendon injury (rotator cuff tendinopathy, epicondylar (epicondylitis) or epitrochlear (epitrochleitis) tendinopathy, gluteus medius tendinopathy, ischio-tendinopathy. hamstrings or adductors, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy (knee), plantar fasciitis or any other chronic tendinopathy, after-effect of a sprain (e.g. ankle)) which has not responded to usual conservative treatments. It can also be very useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Finally, PRP can also be used in certain cases of chronic ligament injuries or muscle injury.
During the procedure, a blood sample is drawn from the patient (from 30 to 120 cc of blood depending on the injected area) and centrifuged from 15 to 23 minutes. During preparations, platelets are separated from other blood constituents.
Only plasma containing a large quantity of platelets and growth factors is kept.
Under the control of an ultrasound device and after local anaesthesia, PRP is injected precisely in the affected or deteriorated area (tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints) to stimulate healing. The entire procedure is sterile and performed with the assistance of a nurse.
Only plasma containing a large quantity of platelets and growth factors is kept.
Under the control of an ultrasound device and after local anaesthesia, PRP is injected precisely in the affected or deteriorated area (tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints) to stimulate healing. The entire procedure is sterile and performed with the assistance of a nurse.
Response to treatment varies from one patient to the next. Some patients need a second treatment, but rarely a third.
The decision to undergo a second treatment is taken only three months after the procedure and depends on patients’ response to the first injection.
For cases of osteoarthritis, some studies suggest giving three injections one or two weeks apart.
The decision to undergo a second treatment is taken only three months after the procedure and depends on patients’ response to the first injection.
For cases of osteoarthritis, some studies suggest giving three injections one or two weeks apart.
There are very little side effects to this procedure, since PRP is a natural technique where a patient’s own blood is used. Risks of infection and allergy to the anesthetic are quite rare.
There may be a recurrence of pain at first (from a few days to two weeks), since an inflammatory reaction favourable to healing is caused. Risks of a patient’s condition deteriorating or tissues rupturing are very slight, particularly if the patient follows recommendations made after the procedure.