PRP Means Prevention

If there is a relatively low-risk and minimally invasive option for cancer prevention, would you choose to do it? If there is a similar option to reduce your risk of heart disease, would you do it? These would be potentially life-saving measures.

Now in the case of orthopedics, we are talking more about quality-of-life saving measures. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of those options.

We know that PRP is very beneficial in terms of reducing symptoms and improving function in most patients, yet did you know that it has also has a preventative benefit? Slowing the deterioration within your joint, particularly of the articular cartilage, is a benefit of the PRP.

How does being in less pain sound? What about being able to go up and down stairs much more easily? What about being out to enjoy longer walks and hiking? What about enjoying your grandkids with less pain during and afterwards?


What about more fulfilling trips to the gym? What about using fewer prescription medications to manage your symptoms? These are the goals of PRP, especially when we are treating osteoarthritis. When we are treating most tendon problems like of the rotator cuff, tennis/golfer’s elbow, lateral hip and the Achilles, the goal of PRP is not only to feel better, but actual healing.

This week, we repeated PRP on a patient with moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) that last had PRP with us 5 years ago. Her benefit has lasted that long. This week we updated x-rays on a patient with knee OA and noted that in the last 2 years, his x-rays have not changed. This means no substantial loss of cartilage. In contrast, the average OA patient is losing 4%-6% of cartilage per year. What if we can change that to 0%-2%? Would you take it? If so, come see us, as we’re doing more PRP than ever, and the results remain very promising.

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

Harness the Power of Protein Concentrate Added to your PRP

We are always finding innovative ways to help our patients, especially those with osteoarthritis. Platelet-Rich Plasma injections have been very successful, yet now we have another option to boost the benefits of PRP. We call this “Protein Concentrate.” By filtering the additional plasma after your blood is centrifuged, we are able to trap a high concentration of proteins that can also significantly relieve the symptoms of OA and potentially slow the deterioration of the cartilage in the joint. Two of these proteins are Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IL-1ra).

A2M is the key to slowing the progression of osteoarthritis. A2M is a powerful chemical in destroying proteins that cause arthritis that captures and inactivates the three major chemicals that lead to joint breakdown and cartilage damage. It is also reported that A2M can act as a powerful anti-inflammatory and aid in pain management.

Research on IL-1ra has shown that it also plays a role in slowing the progression of osteoarthritis in joints.  

Who should consider adding Protein Concentrate to their PRP injections? We believe that those with repetitive swelling in the joint are the most likely to benefit from the addition of the protein concentrate to the PRP.

Want to know more about PRP?

Learn about the key details of PRP here

How is PRP simple and not-so-simple? Read here

As always, let us know if we can be of assistance to you!

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.