Activated PRP Plus, otherwise known as Activated Platelet Rich Plasma, is a relatively new technique used to help aid in the recovery of soft tissue injuries and arthritic conditions (tendons, ligaments and cartilage). A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn, placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood components. The blood is then activated by applying ultraviolet light before injection. This is the ‘Plus’ in our treatment. These concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bio-active protein, including growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair. The goal of these bio-active proteins is to stimulate connective tissue healing, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process. With Activated PRP Plus therapy, we take PRP and improve its effectiveness and precision.
Activated PRP Plus injections can be performed in tendons, ligaments and joints all over the body. Numerous common musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries are treated with Activated PRP Plus; these include:
Knee Pain
Hip Pain
Shoulder and Arm Pain
Lower Leg and Foot Pain
If you have a tendon or ligament injury, arthritic joint, meniscus tear, rotator cuff injury, shoulder pain, or bursitis and traditional methods have not provided relief, then Activated PRP Plus therapy may be the solution. The procedure is less aggressive and less expensive than surgery. It heals tissue with minimal to no scarring. Activated PRP Plus can alleviate further degeneration of tissues and can lessen the severity of arthritis. Moreover, many patients are excited about not being out of work or ‘out of commission’ during recovery. It is exciting to have this option.
During Activated PRP Plus therapy, a small sample of the patient’s blood is drawn (similar to a lab test sample) and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from other blood components. The blood is then activated by applying ultraviolet light before injection. The site of the injection can also be treated with Shock Wave Therapy, which can help activate the cells. We use MSK ultrasound guidance to improve precision of the injection into the treatment area using ultrasound imaging. The concentrated Platelet Rich Plasma is then injected into and around the point of injury, strengthening the body’s natural healing agent. The injection process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors to levels up to 500% greater than that which is found in your own blood.
You are restricted from the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) one day prior to the procedure and one day after the PRP Plus injection. Initially the procedure may cause some localized soreness and discomfort. Most patients only require some extra strength Tylenol to help with the pain. Ice and heat may be applied to the area as needed. The first week after the procedure, patients will typically start a rehabilitation program with physical therapy. However, aggressive physical activity is discouraged.
The goal is to resolve pain through healing. This therapy is stimulating the growth and repair of tendons, ligaments and cartilage requiring time and rehabilitation. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Darr and treating injured tissues before the damage progresses and the condition is irreversible.
Cytokines are the signaling molecules of your body – they tell your platelets and cells where to go by guiding and directing them to the localized injured parts of your body. These signalers also help heal and repair problematic musculoskeletal conditions and connective tissue which are crucial to the healing and repairing of your body. Without them the rest of your body wouldn’t know what to repair or when.
Cytokines play a crucial role in initiating, maintaining, and regulating immunologic homeostatic and inflammatory processes. These same Cytokines address orthopedic injuries, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. They send signals to localized cells when repair begins. However, at the site of injury, there is also an overflow that can interfere with some of the repairs, which explains why so often natural repair is limited.
By using combinations of certain cytokines, like growth factors and interleukins, we can now tailor the repair based on the specific tissue (tendon or cartilage). These FDA registered oral cytokines are used both before and after PRP Plus & orthobiologic procedures to customize a desired biologic effect depending on the individual’s baseline level of inflammation and underlying capacity to heal.
Patients heal differently and utilizing cytokine therapy allows the Physician to address some variables that limit the body’s capacity to self-heal. Simply increasing the amplitude of growth factors with PRP Plus is not enough in some cases. Cytokines can increase or decrease particular proteins based on the individual.
Our clinic provides patients with Cytokine growth factors for four weeks after Activated PRP Plus treatment in order to improve cell activation and treatment effectiveness. In addition to providing post-treatment support, Dr. Darr personally tracks the results of the treatment of each patient in order to perfect treatment protocols so as to improve patient outcomes.
