In PRP therapy, a patient’s blood is drawn, separated and re-injected into injured joints and muscles to ease pain. Platelets release special growth factors that lead to tissue healing and repair.
What is the procedure for PRP injection?
- Blood is drawn from the patient.
- Blood is placed into a centrifuge that spins and automatically separates red blood cells from the plasma.
- PRP is prepared for injection.
- Lidocaine injection numbs the area.
- Ultrasound can be used to show proper location of anesthetic.
- The area is cleaned and sterlized prior to PRP injection.
- Cold free spray is used to numb the skin surface.
- PRP can be injected under ultrasound guidance
The PRP procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Jay says
Hi Doctor,
Can PRP be administered with out local anesthesia ? From online reading, I have to come to find out that lidocaine and etc have side effects that are damaging to cartilage. If that is the case, then why is it used for PRP ?
Thank you !
Howard J. Luks, MD says
I do not inject lidocaine into the knee joint for a PRP injection… it is only used for the skin and the tissue underneath it.