PRP Injections

Damage to the soft tissues or joints can lead to chronic pain and disability. If you’re not ready for surgery, you could be a candidate for restorative therapies using PRP. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Timothy Kavanaugh, MD, and the team at AZ Ortho in Scottsdale, Arizona, offer minimally invasive injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to encourage your body to heal itself. Treatment can provide long-lasting pain relief and improve your joint health. To determine if PRP injections are right for you, call AZ Ortho or book an appointment online today.

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a substance found naturally in your body that is used to heal inflammation and pain from injuries and disease.

PRP is the part of your blood containing growth factors. PRP stimulates your body to produce healthy new cells. As new cells grow, they replace those damaged by trauma or disease.

What conditions can PRP injections treat?

Your provider at AZ Ortho draws a sample of blood to create your PRP injection. They then use a special process involving a centrifuge, which spins your blood to separate the platelets from other cells in your blood.

PRP injections can treat several conditions. You can benefit from PRP to relieve the pain and inflammation of:

• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Arthritis and joint pain

At AZ Ortho, the team reviews your symptoms and medical history to determine if you’re a candidate for PRP therapy. They also complete a physical exam and may order imaging, like X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans, to identify the underlying cause of your pain.

What happens during PRP injections?

Restorative medicine therapies, like PRP, are a two-step process. In the first step, your provider draws a sample of your blood to access PRP.

Before injecting the PRP into your joint, they ensure you’re comfortable before proceeding. Then, they inject the substances into the predetermined area using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray technology) to guide them.

While you probably won’t see immediate results with PRP injections, new cells grow to replace damaged ones over time. As your body heals, you may notice a significant reduction in inflammation and pain and an increase in your range of motion.

What can I expect after PRP injections?

There’s little to no downtime after PRP therapy, so you can resume normal everyday activities right away. 

You might experience swelling, slight bruising, or tenderness that subsides within a few days. 

AZ Ortho recommends using an ice pack or taking over-the-counter pain relievers (when needed) to temporarily ease symptoms. You’ll notice the full effects of your PRP treatment within a few weeks or months*.

To find out if PRP injections are right for you, call AZ Ortho or book an appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary