Benefits and Cost of PRP Injection

To assist Tiger Woods recover from an injury, he has received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. A growing number of sports injuries and surgical wounds are being treated using these injections, which are made from the patient’s own blood. Wrinkles, for example, may be treated with it by certain specialists as a cosmetic technique. Is it effective? Here are a few things to bear in mind.

What is PRP?

Platelets are a kind of blood cell that aids in the healing of wounds. A clot-forming agent, they may also encourage the creation of new cells.

A medical practitioner will collect a blood sample in order to prepare a PRP injection. After sealing the sample, they’ll put it in a centrifuge and spin it at a high speed. The blood sample is then spun at such a high speed that it separates into its many components, one of which being PRP.

The plasma will then be extracted and prepared for administration by a medical practitioner.

What are the benefits?

PRP is used by clinicians in a variety of therapy areas, some of which are included below:

Hair follicles

It is possible that injecting PRP into the scalp might decrease inflammation, which can contribute to hair loss.

Men who had PRP therapy developed more hair and with more density than those who didn’t, according to a research published in 2015.

Nonetheless, additional controlled research is needed to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of PRP in hair growth.

A wound’s healing

PRP injections may be used by doctors to aid with tissue repair.

Three rounds of PRP injections were proven to decrease symptoms in patients with chronic patellar tendinopathy, according to researchers in a 2014 publication. Researchers examined the records of 28 different athletes for this investigation.

In addition, a 2018 analysis found that PRP therapy may help decrease pain and speed recovery in instances of ligament and tendon injury. The authors, however, suggest that more study is needed to thoroughly evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness.

The repair of bones may also be aided by PRP therapy, according to some research. But the results of research in this area aren’t conclusive. As a 2021 assessment points out, there is a lack of consistency in the creation and use of PRP that might be to blame.

Reduction of inflammatory response

Patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from PRP treatments that decrease inflammation. Joint discomfort and stiffness may result from inflammation.

However, the utility of PRP in the treatment of arthritis remains a hotly debated topic. The ACR and the AF both strongly advise against the use of PRP in treating osteoarthritis of the knees or hips, respectively.

What is the cost of PRP?

There is a wide variance in price for a single PRP treatment. Repeated treatments may also be necessary for certain people.

According on the location, facilities, and skill of a physician who is providing treatment, PRP injection cost might vary greatly. The fact that only a small percentage of people have access to PRP therapy is also worth mentioning.

Before having a PRP injection, what should I do?

Before receiving PRP injections, you should avoid using any blood-thinning drugs such aspirin or ibuprofen. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, may need a vacation from your regimen. Preparation for these injections may be discussed with your physician.

No serious negative effects have been reported from using PRP. If your doctor suggests it, you should eat something substantial before the operation, though, since it includes extracting blood. Injections of PRP will be less likely to make you dizzy if you do this.

For the first 48 hours after the injection, you should not wash the region that was treated. You may feel some bruising and pain at the injection site. In the event that you have severe or extreme pain, you should contact your physician right away.

Final thoughts

Some people believe PRP is a potential treatment for tissue damage or hair loss, however this is still a hotly debated topic in the medical community.

Nothing definitive on the efficacy or uniformity of therapy has been found to yet. PRP therapies are thus severely discouraged by various health groups.

PRP injections are often not covered by health insurance, making them a costly treatment option if more than one is required.