PRP is Not the Same at Every Practice

Never has platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy had more traction in the orthopedic world than it does today. After more than a decade of use, PRP—a treatment that uses your own blood and growth factors to stimulate healing—has proven its staying power.

Because of this, more orthopedic practices than ever are offering PRP as a minimally invasive, more holistic treatment option. But here’s the important truth: PRP at one practice can be vastly different from PRP at another.

The success of a PRP injection depends on many critical factors. Here are some of the most important:

1. The Experience of the Physician

PRP is a highly technique-sensitive procedure. The skill, training, and experience of the physician performing the injection can make all the difference in your outcome.

2. Ultrasound Guidance for Accuracy

PRP injections are most effective when placed precisely at the site of injury. Practices that always use ultrasound guidance ensure the highest accuracy, which translates to better results.

3. The PRP System and Preparation Process

Not all PRP systems are equal:

• The amount of blood drawn

• The method of preparation

• The sophistication of the centrifugation system
  

All of these determine how concentrated the final platelet product will be. More advanced systems can isolate a higher number of platelets, which release more healing growth factors. Think of PRP preparation as a science experiment—precision matters.

4. Pre- and Post-Injection Protocols

The success of PRP doesn’t just depend on the injection itself. What happens before and after is just as important.

• Before: Patients should be “primed” to produce the highest quality PRP possible. Your physician should provide detailed instructions and handouts, not just a casual “see you at your appointment.”

• After: Proper aftercare is crucial. Which medications and supplements should be stopped? How should you protect the injection site? When can you return to exercise or physical therapy? These details matter for healing and long-term success.

5. The Number and Timing of Injections

Some conditions require more than one injection, and the timing of these sessions can significantly impact outcomes. A practice with deep PRP experience knows how to tailor this to your condition.

6. Setting Realistic Expectations

Finally, your physician should provide clear, realistic expectations based on expertise and years of experience—not vague promises.

Choosing the Right Practice for PRP

The reality is that many orthopedic practices are now “diving into” PRP. Some have the knowledge and experience to deliver outstanding results, while others are new to the field and may not fully understand the science behind it.

At Impact Sports Medicine, we are leaders in PRP therapy:

• 15+ years of experience performing PRP procedures

• Ultrasound guidance with every injection

• Detailed before-and-after instructions for every patient

We believe PRP is too important to be treated as a “side service.” Physicians can only be excellent at a limited number of things—and if PRP isn’t a routine part of a practice, it’s unlikely they have the expertise to maximize your outcome.

If you’re considering PRP, choose wisely. We’d be happy to answer your questions and help determine if PRP is the right option for you

F. Clarke Holmes, M.D.

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.