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Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

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Blog / Orthobiologics

What is PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated September 17, 2021

Knee Arthritis - PRP - Westchester NY Many patient are battling severe pain due to arthritis or tendonitis, such as tennis elbow.   When non surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medications, moist heat and exercises do not minimize your pain — AND — you pain is significantly affecting your quality of life then many patients consider surgery.   Patients with arthritis may choose to have a knee or hip replacement, and many people may choose to have surgery for their tennis elbow or rotator cuff pain.   Until recently we had few if any other options to offer patients in lieu of surgery.

PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma

Pain can be debilitating.  Severe long-standing pain will typically lead patients to consider surgery.    In a last-ditch effort to avoid surgery, many patient have tried an increasingly popular procedure – PRP or platelet-rich plasma therapy.   PRP, or platelet rich plasma injections,  which involve the injections of your own concentrated platelets, protein-releasing bodies, and other healing growth factors can aid the body in resolving certain inflammatory conditions and can heal worn out tissues, like suffers of tennis elbow have.

The wikipedia definition of PRP is:  Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains (and releases through degranulation) several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

PRP or platelet rich plasma therapy has been somewhat controversial, but in many studies  has been shown to benefit a significant number of people suffering from tennis elbow, rotator cuff disease and osteoarthritis.  Here are  links here for  PRP articles for treatment of Tennis Elbow .

PRP injections for arthritis, tennis elbow and other ligament disorders is an office injection or procedure.  To initiate the PRP procedure we start by drawing blood sample from your arm. We then place that sample of blood into a centrifuge and after the blood has spun in the centrifuge for a while certain layers will appear. One of those layers contains the PRP, or platelet rich plasma.  PRP, or platelet rich plasma is a portion of your blood that contains cells called platelets and a concentrated liquid, which contains a number of chemicals or growth factors that our body uses to regenerate itself. Contained within the platelets themselves is a very high concentration of these very same chemicals or growth factors. The idea behind PRP or platelet rich plasma injections, is that by placing these injections at the site of arthritis, tendon degeneration, or ligament tears, we can get your body to attempt to regenerate itself. This is vastly different than the cortisone injections, which simply mask inflammation and have no healing capabilities.  PRP, if successful, generally results in long-lasting relief – – – because the degenerative tissue, which was wearing out— has started to regenerate or regrow itself.

Once your blood is removed from the centrifuge, and the PRP layer is removed, it is injected into the area where you arthritis, tendon wear or ligament tear is.

Keep in mind this is a very active area of research within the orthopedic community.  Not all PRP is created equal, there are different preparation techniques, they’re a different delivery techniques, and we are still perfecting the best method to be utilized to treat your tennis elbow. That being said, the results for PRP injections for tennis elbow – – – have been quite promising.

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Let’s explore if PRP a Treatment Option for your condition?

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Media and Scientific Reasearch For PRP or Platelet Rich Plamsa

  • PRP for Tennis Elbow: Article from the Mayo Clinic
  • PRP for Knee Osteoarthritis
  • PRP for Osteoarthritis 
  • PRP for Ankle Arthritis
  • PRP for Achilles Tendinitis... Not all cases are successful
  • NY Times Article on PRP related treatments

Categories: Orthobiologics, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Sports Medicine Tags: achilles tendonitis, arthritis, elbow injections, elbow tendonitis, jumpers knee, ligament strain, MCL, MCL injury, MCL Recovery, Platelet rich plasma, PRP, tennis elbow

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
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Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

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Comments

  1. jayne says

    February 26, 2015 at 7:24 am

    I have had a courtisone injection yesterday (left elbow) and although it is early days, can I ask if my pain does not settle, what are the chances of going on and having a PRP injection ( I live in the UK). I am slightly nervous now having read your website that I have not done the right thing. I had an injection into my right elbow and that cured the pain. However I am left handed and use my left hand considerably more. Thank you

  2. paul sanabria says

    March 29, 2015 at 9:50 am

    what type of physical therapy is required after a prp shot on the elbow ?

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      March 30, 2015 at 9:35 am

      A FlexBar

  3. kesha says

    May 18, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    tennis elbow severe pain i wear a arm band its no longer helpingi have had several cortisone injections i can hardly lift my arm

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      May 19, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Have you tried a Flexbar ?

  4. peggy says

    October 12, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    I had PRP on hamstring and requested to use crutches. why do some dr. say use crutches and others not. It is difficult for me to use crutches– I can halt exercise for a mo (they say 6 wk) but crutches are driving me crazy. thank you..peggy

    • Howard J. Luks, MD says

      October 13, 2019 at 6:46 am

      I’m not quite sure… I only use crutches to decrease pain. You should ask the doctor who performed the injection what their rationale for crutches is.
      Good luck

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Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

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