PRP therapy is a type of regenerative injection treatment which re-introduces your own concentrated blood platelets into areas of chronic pain and severe joint degeneration. As part of PRP injection therapy, Dr. Chang would draw a small amount of blood and extract a portion that becomes concentrated so that it then holds up to 10 times more growth factors and healing cells. These would then be injected into the injured site. PRP injections are used for more serious or advanced cases of chronic injuries to stimulate further healing.

The concentrated platelet solution also carries many healing properties, such as Platelet-derived Growth Factor, which initiates connective tissue healing through the promotion of collagen and protein synthesis, this can support cartilage formation.

Platelets also carry Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) including TGF-b1 which stimulates chondrocytes (Cartilage growth) and decreases the catabolic activity (breakdown) of cartilage. There is also research to suggests that TGF-b1 stimulates stem cell activity in the injured area making it a transformative and exciting new treatment option. 

What does this mean for you? Using PRP injections to help stimulate these growth factors so that your body can begin to form the building blocks it needs for new ligament and cartilage cells. Your body is stimulated to begin the healing process on its own. Once the soft tissue heals, the pain will start to improve.

The average number of PRP injections is between 2-4 treatments, though often times patients will start to notice improvements in pain after the initial injection. Treatments will conclude once patient is satisfied with return of function at the affected area and resolution of chronic pain.

PRP is a well researched, non-surgical technique for a variety of chronic pain conditions. It has been shown to be effective for the following conditions:

What can PRP treat:

• Labral tear of shoulder
• Rotator cuff tear of shoulder
• Tennis elbow
• Labral tear of hip
• Moderate to severe knee arthritis
• Meniscus tear of knee
• Chronic muscle strain such as chronic hamstring strings
• Achilles tendinosis
• Neck and low back pain, including disc degeneration
• Ligament injuries
• Chronic ankle sprains