How much do PRP injections cost

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a newer modality of treatment for the management of many orthopaedic conditions including sport injuries. RBC (red blood cells), WBC (white blood cells), plasma, and platelets are the major components of blood. Platelets are small discoid blood cells with granules containing clotting and growth factors which are released during the healing process. On activation, the platelets accelerate the inflammatory cascade as well as healing by the release of the granules containing growth factors. Platelets have an average lifespan of 7–10 days.

A normal blood specimen contains only 6% platelets whereas platelet rich plasma (PRP) contains a much higher concentration of platelets.  A PRP injection is generally recommended in the treatment of tendon or muscle injuries with a success rate of about 70% to 80%.  Four to six weeks may be required for complete healing.

Special precautions are required in individuals with low platelet count, bleeding disorders, those on blood thinning medications or anti-inflammatory medications, individuals allergic to local anaesthetic agents, those with active infections and women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

Procedure

Blood is drawn from the large vein in your elbow. The blood will be centrifuged or spun to separate the platelets from other blood components. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. The platelet rich portion of the blood is then extracted.

The injured part of the body is anesthetized with a local anaesthetic and PRP is injected into the affected area under ultrasound guidance.

After the procedure

Following the procedure, you can resume your daily routine activities but avoid strenuous activities such as heavy exercise or lifting. You may experience some pain during the injection which may last for a couple of days. Cold compresses and pain medication may be prescribed for pain relief.  Anti-inflammatory medications are to be avoided for up to 48 hours after the injection, as they can affect the platelet function.

Risks and complications are rare but can include infection, nerve or blood vessel injury, scar tissue formation, and calcification at the injection site following a PRP injection. Call us immediately in case of persistent pain or the development of any adverse reaction after the injection.

If our Surgeons feel you are a candidate for this treatment a referral will be given to follow through with a course of PRP injections.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a controversial treatment that is becoming increasingly popular in sports science and dermatology.

To date, theFood and Drug Administration (FDA)has only approved the use of PRP in bone graft treatments. However, doctors may use the treatment to address a variety of other health issues.

Some doctors are now using PRP therapy toencouragehair growth, promote muscle healing, andtreatthe symptoms of arthritis.

Other medical professionals oppose the use of PRP outside of its approved medicinal uses. For example, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF)strongly recommend againstits use in treating knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA).

In this article, we detail what PRP therapy entails, how much it costs, and when doctors may recommend it.

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How does it work?

Platelets are blood cells that play an important role in wound healing. They help form clots to stop bleeding and can support cell growth.

To prepare a PRP injection, a medical professional will take a sample of a person’s blood. They will seal this sample in a container and place it in a centrifuge. This device then spins at such a high speed that the blood sample separates into component parts,one of whichis PRP.

The medical professional will then extract this plasma and prepare it for administration.

Researchsuggests that injecting areas of inflammation or tissue damage with high concentrations of platelets can encourage new tissue growth and promote overall cellular healing.

For instance, medical professionals may mix PRP with other bone graft therapies to enhance tissue repair. Doctors may also use PRP therapies to treat other muscular, skeletal, or skin conditions.

What are the benefits?

Some examples of treatment areas where doctors use PRP include:

Hair growth

Injecting PRP into the scalp may help reduce inflammation that can lead to hair loss.

A2015 studyreports that males receiving PRP treatment grew more hair, and with significantly more density, than males who did not get the treatment.

However, this was only a small-scale study, and further controlled research is necessary to fully assess the efficacy of PRP in hair growth.

Tissue healing

Doctors may use PRP injections to help promote tissue healing.

Authors of a 2014 paper found that three rounds of PRP injections reduced symptoms in the participants with a knee injury called chronic patellar tendinopathy. In the study, the researchers analyzed cases of 28 athletes.

A2018 reviewalso notes that PRP therapies may help reduce pain and improve healing in ligament and tendon damage cases. Still, the authors conclude that more research is necessary to fully assess the efficacy of the treatment.

Moreover, PRP therapies may aid in bone healing. However, studies in this area are inconclusive on the benefit of PRP treatments. A 2021 review suggests that the lack of standardization in the preparation and use of PRP could be a factor in these inconclusive reports.

Inflammation reduction

Doctorsmay usePRP to reduce inflammation in people with OA and rheumatoid arthritis. This inflammation can lead to joints becoming painful and stiff.

However, the use of PRP to treat forms of arthritis is controversial. Both the ACR and the AFstrongly recommend againstthe use of PRP in treating knee or hip OA.

How much does PRP cost?

The cost of a single PRP treatment will typically be in the range of$500–2,500. People may also require repeat treatments.

Costs can vary depending on location, facilities, and the expertise of the doctor performing the treatment. It is also of note that few insurance plans cover the cost of PRP treatment.

Side effects

Injecting PRP involves using a person’s own platelets, which is why people receiving this treatment do not usually have any adverse reactions to the injections.

However, they may experience irritation, pain, or bleeding at or around the injection site.

Most people can resume their normal activities almost immediately after having a PRP injection.

Takeaway

PRP is a promising therapy for those who experience tissue damage or hair loss, but there is still some controversy surrounding this type of treatment.

To date, there has been no conclusive evidence of its effectiveness, or standardization of treatment. As a result, some health bodies and organizationsstrongly recommend againstthe use of PRP treatments.

Usually, medical insurance does not cover PRP injections, which can become expensive if repeat treatments are necessary.

How long do the PRP injections last?

What is the success rate of PRP injections?

Is it worth getting PRP?

Can I see results after 1 PRP?