What is PRP?

Our blood is made up of red and white blood cells, plasma and platelets. When an injury occurs, the platelets become activated and release growth factors.

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a concentration of these platelets. When activated, these growth factors regenerate tissue, nerves and blood vessels - and also recruit stem cells to come into the area. All this together can accelerate healing and tissue repair.

How has PRP been used?

Platelet-Rich plasma has shown promise for more than 25 years as a way to accelerate our own natural healing processes. PRP was first used in 1987 during an open heart surgery, but has been safely used and documented in many fields such as: sports medicine, orthopedics, dentistry, wound care, aesthetics, ophthalmology, urology, ENT, cardiothoracic and maxillofacial surgery.

What Is the procedure for using platelet-rich plasma?

To perform a PRP procedure, we draw a small amount of your blood, then separate and remove the concentrated platelets. Next, we activate the platelets with calcium, and inject them into the anesthetized areas using an extremely thin needle. The activated platelets release growth factors and recruit stem cells, which stimulate the growth of new tissue, nerves and blood vessels in and around the injection sites.

What are the benefits of using PRP?

• Safety : There are no reported adverse effects from using Platelet-Rich plasma
• Potential Benefits: This procedure may potentially help speed recovery, decrease pain and increase performance of the affected area
• Low infection risk: You are using your own blood, and its growth factors; therefore, helping to decrease infection
• Easy recovery time: After the injection, you will have a mild to moderate increase in pain, lasting up to a week, as cells are recruited to heal the injured area (for PRP-Ortho only)

What conditions can the PRP procedure be used for?

PRP may be recommended to help the following conditions:

• Injured or torn tendons, muscles, and ligaments
• Bone healing
• Soft tissue repair
• Incontinence
• Sexual Health

How long does the procedure take?

The entire procedure, including preparation and recovery, will take no more than one hour. It will all be done at the Forward Health Solutions clinic.

How often can the PRP procedure be done?

PRP-Ortho injections may range from a single injection to 5 treatments, depending on the severity of the injury. The O-Shot® and P-Shot® procedures generally need to be done only once year.

Is this FDA approved?

The special kits we use are FDA approved, but the FDA does not regulate your own blood products as it is not considered a drug.

Will I have a reaction or allergy to the PRP?

Since we are using your own blood, this procedure is hypoallergenic. There have never been any adverse reactions reported using PRP.

Are there any risks?

All procedures have possible risks. The type of risk often depends on the location of the body being treated. The most common risks include: no improvement, bleeding under the skin, infection, increased pain or swelling at the injection site, and nerve damage.

Additionally, as a blood draw is needed, being well hydrated and eating before your appointment can help prevent feeling light headed or even faint due to having your blood drawn.

What do I need to do before the procedure?

While we will still perform the procedure if you have been on anti-inflammatories, we have found that people who have the best results AVOID the following items 3 days BEFORE and 3 days AFTER their procedure:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Aspirin
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Omega 3 Fish Oil
• Tumeric
• Any other supplement with anti-inflammatory effects

Are there are any reasons I would not be a candidate for PRP?

• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or poor platelet function
• Severe anemia
• Chronic infection
• Active cancer

Is PRP covered by insurance?

At this time, PRP is not covered by insurance.