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Platelet Rich Plamsa (PRP)

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP Treatment) Injections

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a minimally invasive non-surgical treatment that promotes healing without surgery. Platelets are a specialized type of blood cells that are involved in injury healing. With PRP, a concentrated platelet solution is injected into the injured area to stimulate healing.

There are numerous clinical studies showing PRP promotes healing in a variety of orthopedic injuries, and may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments, such as long-term medications or surgery.

Listen to a Podcast, by Dr. Sussman about PRP

PRP Brochure

Conditions that can be treated with PRP?


PRP can be used for muscle, ligament and tendon tears, overuse injuries, tendonitis and tendonosis, and osteoarthritis, including:

  • Osteoarthritis / arthritis
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis / Partial rotator cuff tear
  • Tennis elbow / Golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis / elbow tendonitis)
  • Hamstring and hip tendonitis
  • Quadriceps and patellar tendonitis
  • Achilles tendinosis & plantar fasciitis

HOW DOES PRP WORK?

The body’s natural reaction to an injury is to send platelets from the blood to the damaged tissues to initiate healing. Platelets store growth factors that help with healing, and when injected directly into injured tissue, they stimulate and enhance the body’s own healing response.

HOW IS PRP PERFORMED?

PRP is performed in the office. Blood is drawn from the patient, and concentrated in a centrifuge. Platelets and growth factors are separated and then injected into the injured area using ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP is placed into the injured tendon or joint.

The entire treatment from blood draw to completion takes 45 minutes.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO PLACE THE CELLS?

We use musculoskeletal ultrasound to identify the injured tendon, ligament or joint. Ultrasound is then used to guide the needle for the injection.

IS THERE RISK OR POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FROM PRP INJECTIONS ?

PRP is performed with sterile technique and is created in a closed-system device. Anytime a needle is placed anywhere in the body, even getting blood drawn, there is a risk of infection, bleeding, tendon and nerve damage. However, complications are very rare.

IS A PRP PROCEDURE UNCOMFORTABLE?

PRP injections are performed under local anesthesia with numbing medication. Patients will typically feel a pressure when injecting a tendon. Mild to moderate swelling or soreness can occur at the injection site and these effects typically resolve within a few days to a week.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE?

Most patients will need only one procedure. Studies of tennis elbow have shown that 85-95% of patients have complete relief of their pain with one injection, and the results are generally permanent.

In severe tendon or ligament injuries, more than one injection is sometimes needed. When treating arthritis, a second or third injection can be helpful.

IS PRP COVERED BY MY INSURANCE?

PRP has been used for decades, often to treat professional athletes who are looking to avoid surgery and minimize recovery time.

Despite growing evidence and studies, PRP is considered “experimental” by most insurance plans and most plans do not cover PRP therapy. Health Saving Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can be used towards the payment of the procedure. Our billing department can answer questions regarding cost.

WHY BOSTON SPORTS & BIOLOGICS?

Boston Sports & Biologics specializes in minimally invasive procedures and orthobiologics, and is one of only a handful of clinics in New England that measures the platelet dose, monitor clinical outcomes using a database and Is accredited by the the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) in diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound guided procedures. AIUM ultrasound practice accreditation is a voluntary peer review
process that allows practices to demonstrate that they meet or exceed nationally recognized standards in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound examinations.

WHAT MAKES PRP THERAPY DIFFERENT AT BOSTON SPORTS & BIOLOGICS

  1. We use the most advanced centrifuge systems to ensure the highest concentration of platelets.
  2. We use ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP is injected into the area of injury.
  3. We use an evidence based post-injection protocol to give you the best chance at recovery.
  4. We track our data to gain more insight into patient care and advance medical research into orthobiologic procedures.

Like all medical procedures, regenerative procedures have a success and failure rate. Not all patients will experience the same results, and results may vary based on an individual’s overall condition, severity of the pathology and recovery time.