Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP Treatment in Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, and Tempe, AZ
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a safe, non-surgical method for reducing inflammation inside the joint, improving the quality of the synovial (joint) fluid, and relieving knee pain. It’s used to treat soft tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, and other knee conditions such as a meniscal tear. The team at Reflex Knee Specialists has established a reputation for effective PRP treatments that only take about 30 minutes. We serve patients in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona. Learn more about this treatment and its benefits.
What Is PRP Treatment?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is treatment that uses a concentrated form of a patient’s blood sample to stimulate healing. Plasma makes up about 55% of blood volume in the human body and is the non-cellular portion of whole blood. Typically, plasma contains 200 million or more platelets per microliter. These platelets contain growth factor proteins that can significantly reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery. PRP treatment concentrates a blood sample to increase the platelet count beyond this typical concentration. The injected blood plasma has three to four times more platelets than normal blood, which enhances the body’s healing abilities.
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Conditions That Can Be Treated with PRP
As part of a comprehensive knee evaluation, the providers at Reflex Knee Specialists work with patients to determine if a PRP treatment is a viable option to treat knee pain. PRP therapy can be used to treat a range of knee issues, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Torn Meniscus
- Tendons and ligament injuries
- Chronic pain from overuse or past injury
- Hoffa Impingement Syndrome
Benefits of PRP Treatment
Patients choose PRP treatment because it offers several advantages. In addition to alleviating pain and decreasing inflammation, PRP is:
- Evidence-based: In randomized controlled trials, PRP was superior to other treatments like hyaluronic acid injections for relieving knee pain.
- Non-invasive: This injection treatment is much less invasive than knee surgery.
- Effective: PRP can improve the quality of the synovial fluid in the knee joint, improving cushioning, lubrication, and mobility.
- Natural: PRP uses the patient’s blood cells, so there’s no risk of adverse immune response, and many patients prefer it to pharmaceuticals.
You may have heard about PRP treatment through an athlete or celebrity endorsement. Many professional athletes have used PRP therapy, including Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, and Tiger Woods
What to Expect During a PRP Therapy Appointment
PRP therapy is performed as an outpatient procedure at Reflex Knee Specialists. A sample of blood is collected from the patient into a specialized collection tube. The blood sample is then placed in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets; the specialized cell separation technology removes the pro-inflammatory red and white blood cells, while concentrating platelets and monocytes (white blood cells involved in healing). After 10 minutes, the PRP sample is ready for treatment. Because the team at Reflex Knee Specialists uses ultrasound, we can inject PRP directly into the injury site or joint space for maximum relief.
To minimize any discomfort during the injection, our provider will use a cold spray called ethyl chloride that numbs the skin. The whole appointment takes about 30 minutes and patients can return home the same day. Most can resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. Some patients have mild swelling and bruising at the injection site, which can be relieved by using an ice pack. A follow-up appointment will take place two to three months later to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Most patients notice results about six weeks after PRP therapy. Each patient responds differently to PRP therapy, so some may require repeat injections.
The Reflex Knee Specialists Difference
Our medical team uses a distinctive PRP formula to maximize the efficacy of this treatment:
- Monocytes: These are a type of white blood cell that stimulates tissue repair and regeneration. The FDA-approved product used by the team at Reflex Knee Specialists produces a concentrated number of monocytes as part of the PRP injection.
- Granulocytes: Because these white blood cells stimulate an inflammatory response and cause pain, the PRP system we use has one of the lowest amounts of granulocytes on the market.
- Red blood cells (RBCs): These cells cause a strong inflammatory response and can cause intense pain when injected; they are also toxic for cartilage. Our PRP solution has zero RBCs, while most PRP formulations have millions.
We rely on the only FDA-cleared system that offers an optimal PRP formulation with the fewest side effects. Reflex Knee Specialists was the first clinic in the United States to use this PRP system with advanced cell separation technology.
Additional Information & Resources
For patients who want to learn more about PRP, Reflex Knee Specialists has compiled several educational resources:
Schedule an Appointment Today
At Reflex Knee Specialists, we’re proud to offer our patients an optimal PRP treatment for knee pain. We’ve administered thousands of treatments and all our providers have specialized training in PRP, making our procedure as refined as possible. To schedule an evaluation and take advantage of the benefits of PRP therapy, contact us.
