PRP Joint & Tendon Injections

PRP JOINT AND TENDON INJECTIONS USE THE PATIENT’S OWN BLOOD PLATELETS TO HEAL INJURIES AND LIMIT CHRONIC PAIN.
The PRP treatment is one of the revolutionary non-operative options we offer that relieves pain by using the healing and growth factors in the blood to stimulate and accelerate the body’s natural healing process.

Platelets are a natural component of our blood along with red and white blood cells. They are best known for their function of blood clotting to stop bleeding. They are a critical component of healing as they initiate repair of injured tissue or diseased area. They also attract stem cells to the injury.

The process to create PRP is a highly technical process but is conveniently done at our office. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient’s arm similar to a routine lab visit. The PRP is then put in a special FDA approved centrifuge that isolates the platelet-rich plasma for injection. This process takes about 20 minutes or less.

Tendon and joint injury: shoulder (rotator-cuff injuries), elbow (tennis and golfers elbow), wrist and hand, hip, knee, foot and ankle, including Achilles tendon issues, and plantar fasciitis.

Nerve Entrapment syndromes such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Arthritis: Shoulder, hand, hip, knee, and ankle.

Dr. Kulback uses a special musculoskeletal ultrasound machine to precisely localize the site to treat and then inject the PRP treatment into the injured tendon, ligament, muscle, or joint, that has been identified to be the source of pain. The procedure may cause mild discomfort for a few hours which can be minimized with Tylenol. Joint space injections are usually not painful. The entire process takes less than an hour.

There is little or no risk using PRP, especially compare to other treatments since it is your very own blood that is used. However, anytime a needle is placed in the body there is a potential risk of infection, bleeding, tendon or nerve damage. This is rare since great care is taken and we use ultrasound for localization.

The time of results after a PRP treatment is variable as this is your body healing your body. Generally, some improvement is seen in 4-12 weeks. Some people will need more than one treatment and we do recommend a well-designed course of physical therapy for 4-6 weeks, and to avoid aggressive physical activity for a few weeks. You must also avoid anti-inflammatory medications and supplements such as turmeric, tart cherry juice, naproxen, ibuprofen, and corticosteroids.

Pain affects daily activities

Physical therapy has not adequately improved function and reduced pain.

The patient is unable to tolerate anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or is not getting adequate pain relief; or wants to avoid long term use of medications.

Surgery is not an option or the patient wants to avoid surgery.

Give Us a Call at 205-255-1232 to speak with us, or submit your request below.