Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections in Calgary AB

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in Calgary AB are a type of regenerative injection therapy. Read on for more information

WHAT ARE PLATELETS in Calgary AB?

Platelets are components of your blood that play many functions. They are responsible for clotting when a vessel is cut, and also contain growth factors (PDGF) that contribute to healing the tissue around them. For this reason, platelets can be harvested from whole blood and used to heal damaged tissues.

WHAT IS PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma, and is one of a group of regenerative joint injections, meaning it heals damaged tissues. PRP is extracted by spinning blood to separate the red blood cells (RBCs) from the platelets, plasma and white blood cells (leukocytes). PRP is the portion of plasma that is highly concentrated with platelets, which includes growth factors. PRP can then be injected into a joint in the case of osteoarthritis, or to supporting joint structures such as ligament and tendons in cases of tears, strains, sprains, and joint laxity.

PRP VS CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS

A corticosteroid injection is commonly used by medical doctors and radiologists in Alberta to manage joint pain. In some this can be and effective treatment, and does so by decreasing inflammation. However when injected with corticosteroids multiple times, it has the potential to further break down tissue. On the other hand, PRP stimulates healing of damaged tissue effectively treating the injury, and preventing the reliance on injections in the long term.

PRP VS PROLOTHERAPY INJECTIONS

Both PRP and Prolotherapy are regenerative therapies. Both of these can be used to treat the same type of injuries, but the difference lies in the strength of each treatment. PRP has a stronger healing effect that generally lasts longer, making it a more appropriate treatment option for moderate to severe injuries such as grade 2 and 3 ligament and tendon tears and moderate to severe osteoarthritis. A further benefit of PRP is that we generally don't need as many treatments than you would with prolotherapy injections.

HOW MANY PRP TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?

To an extent, the response to each treatment will dictate the number of treatments needed to get the best results. A typical treatment protocol ranges from 2-6 treatments, at about 6 week intervals to start.

WHAT PRP CENTRIFUGE SYSTEM DO WE USE?

Our naturopath uses the Angel System from Arthrex. This system allows for a wide range of platelet concentrations to be used. In some cases of more severe tissue damage, and where patient vitality is lower due to disease process or aging, we may require a more potent PRP solution to get the desired effects. This system guarantees we can reach those higher concentrations.

WHAT CONDITIONS ARE COMMONLY TREATED WITH PRP?

PRP is used to treat many of the same injuries and joint damage that prolotherapy treats. It has further benefit in conditions that exhibit a higher degree of tissue damage, chronic joint pain or recurrent injuries. Contact our naturopathic doctor if you are unsure about whether PRP is the right treatment for your injuries.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT RESULTS?

The length of time it takes for someone to start seeing the results of PRP injections depends on a number of factors. Platelet Rich Plasma is a regenerative injection therapy, which means it stimulates the production of new tissue. This in part depends on your bodies immune response to the treatment, which can be affected by: smoking and alcohol consumption, presence of diabetes, thyroid or autoimmune conditions, NSAID or corticosteroid use, and age-related decreased immune response, to name a few. However, in terms of significant tissue production, individuals tend to show improvement in about 3-4 months after the first injection. Pain reduction is generally a quicker response and can be noticed within the first 6-12 weeks.