Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection - St. Louis

PRP therapy uses a patient’s own blood to facilitate healing and is a type of regenerative medicine that can help speed recovery time for injuries while alleviating pain.

Blood is made up of three main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Platelets contain proteins called growth factors; growth factors play an integral part in healing tissue including connective tissue, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue.

• Platelet-rich plasma contains 5 to 10 times the typical number of platelets, which increases the concentration of growth factors.
• The high concentration of platelets in PRP allows your body to recognize the areas being treated with injections as a priority, which can lead to a quicker and more thorough healing process than your body can do on its own.  

PRP is prepared by drawing a small amount of whole blood from a patient. Using a centrifuge, the blood is then separated into plasma, platelets (and white blood cells), and red blood cells. The platelets are then concentrated and mixed with some of the plasma, creating platelet-rich plasma. This mixture is then injected into the site of the injury or pain.

PRP injections are performed in our office and local anesthetic is used to make the procedure more comfortable and relatively painless for the patient.  PRP therapy can be repeated every few weeks, but many people require only 1 injection, and most people need no more than three injections.  

• Heal injuries and damaged tissue
• Improve the body’s natural healing functions
• Reduce and alleviate pain