Get Back On The Field With PRP
Athletes are prone to many different types of injuries. The ability to recuperate and get active again depends on the injury and the treatment used. Invasive procedures, such as surgery, take longer to recover from. However, with new techniques such as platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), faster recovery is possible.

Making use of platelets
Blood is comprised of plasma and other components such as platelets, white cells, and red cells. Platelets play an important role in blood clotting and can also help with healing. To develop a PRP preparation, blood is drawn from the patient, then the platelets are segregated from the other blood cells. After separation, the concentration of platelets is increased in a centrifuge. Once ready, PRP is injected into the affected site to help speed up healing.
Get better quickly
The efficacy of PRP varies based on the type of sports injury and the person’s overall health. Surgery is effective but requires significant downtime. On the other hand, PRP helps to improve the healing process, lessen pain, and allows athletes to become active again sooner. Research showed that PRP has helped with problems like chronic tendon injuries and acute ligament and muscle injuries.
Effectiveness of PRP in sports injuries
Chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow or jumper’s knee take a while to heal, but PRP can accelerate recovery. A recent study proved the effectiveness of PRP for use in a sports injury called golfer’s elbow. The study pointed out that PRP re-establishes the range of movement (ROM) sooner than surgery. While effective, remember the effects of a PRP treatment can take a few weeks to kick in.
PRP plus surgery
Sometimes, healthcare providers use surgery and PRP together for a combined approach. Although PRP has proven useful for some medical conditions, solid evidence is still lacking for certain injuries. For example, a torn rotator cuff tendon treated with shoulder surgery and PRP was shown to have some or no benefit, and a fracture treated with PRP has not been proven effective.
Choosing PRP treatment
Speak to the healthcare provider about getting PRP after a sports injury. The doctor will decide if the treatment will be effective based on the patient’s health and the type of injury. PRP can help speed up the healing process of some injuries, allowing athletes to become active faster. However, this technique requires more research and evidence for other conditions.
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