At Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island and New Jersey, we provide a range of advanced, non-surgical treatments for neck, back and joint pain. Our goal is to help patients get back to doing the things they love as quickly as possible.
One of the advanced therapies we offer is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The regenerative medicine treatment utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanisms to address pain and injuries. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition like spinal stenosis or arthritis of the knee or you’ve had a recent injury, PRP therapy could be an option.
In this post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about PRP injections – from preparation to recovery.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma has two components: plasma, or the liquid part of the blood, and platelets, a kind of blood cell involved in healing throughout the body. Platelets help with clotting and are a rich source of growth factors, which stimulate cell turnover and tissue regeneration to promote healing.¹
To get platelet-rich plasma, we place a blood sample into a centrifuge. The device spins the blood to separate the platelets and concentrate them in the plasma.
What is a PRP Injection?
A platelet-rich plasma injection, or PRP injection, involves injecting the platelet-rich plasma into the treatment area, such as a joint or tendon. This increases the concentration of growth factors to stimulate the healing response and speed up recovery. This may reduce pain, shorten healing time and improve mobility.²
What to Expect Before a PRP Injection
Choosing the Right Doctor
PRP injections are generally safe and well-tolerated. Because the procedure uses your own blood, it doesn’t pose a danger of allergy or hypersensitivity.³
However, it’s important to see a licensed practitioner for care and ensure they follow the highest standards of infection control and safety.
What doctor does PRP injections? A range of medical professionals can offer PRP therapy, including pain management physicians, orthopedists and cosmetic surgeons.
Dr. Antigone Argyriou is double board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine. She has the training and experience to safely administer PRP therapy right here in our office.
Consulting With a Specialist
At Spine Medicine & Surgery, we start the PRP procedure with a consultation. At this visit, Dr. Argyriou will discuss your symptoms, medical history and goals. She’ll also perform an exam.
If she determines that PRP injections are the best option, she’ll explain the pros and cons and exactly what to expect at every step in the process. She’ll also answer any questions you have. Finally, a team member will discuss the PRP injections cost.
Pre-Procedure Guidelines
Dr. Argyriou will provide you with specific guidelines to follow before getting your PRP injection. These may include temporarily discontinuing certain medication that could interfere with the procedure, such as anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections.
The PRP Procedure: What Happens During an Injection?
Step-by-Step Overview of PRP Therapy
1. Blood Draw
The first step in the PRP procedure is a blood draw. We do this in the office on the day of your treatment. After taking your blood, we’ll place it into our centrifuge.
2. Injection
Dr. Argyriou will numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. She’ll then inject the platelet-rich plasma into the damaged tissue using ultrasound imaging to guide the needle.
3. Rest
After the injection, you’ll rest for a few minutes while the platelets get to work. Dr. Argyriou will cover the injection site with a bandage and provide you with aftercare instructions.
4. Repeat
Depending on your case and how you respond to the injection, you may need additional injections. Many patients get the best results with three PRP injections spaced about four weeks apart.
Do PRP Injections Hurt?
No, PRP injections don’t hurt. The only thing you’ll feel is a small pinch from the needle when the local anesthetic is injected.
What to Expect After a PRP Injection
PRP Injection Recovery Time
Patients often ask, “How soon can I walk after a PRP injection?” The answer is, right away! You can return to work and most of your regular activities immediately after treatment. That said, you should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for a few days.
The PRP injection recovery time is fairly quick. The injection site can be sore for 48 hours or so. You can apply ice to the treatment area to reduce discomfort.
Over the next few weeks, your initial injury will begin to improve with maximum benefits evident about six weeks after your PRP injection.
PRP Side Effects
One of the key benefits of a PRP injection is that it’s obtained from your own blood, so there isn’t a risk of allergic reaction like there is with other types of joint injections. The main side effects of PRP are soreness and bruising at the injection site.
Rarely, PRP can cause bleeding, nerve injury or infection. This is usually due to an experienced practitioner or non-sterile conditions.
How Long Does a PRP Injection Last?
How long a PRP injection lasts depends on a number of factors, including the specifics of your injury, as well as your own biology. On average, though, the effects of PRP injections can last anywhere from six months to two years.
One study of patients who received a PRP injection for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) found that the positive effects continued five years after the injection, helping the patients avoid surgery.⁴
PRP Therapy for Specific Conditions
You can get PRP injections for a wide range of conditions, from back pain to hair loss. At Spine Medicine & Surgery, Dr. Argyriou offers PRP injections for back pain, neck pain and joint pain due to:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendonitis
- Torn or damaged ligaments or tendons
- Muscles strains and trigger points
- Issues, such as carpal tunnel and tennis elbow
The Bottom Line
PRP injections can be used to treat chronic pain and injuries by stimulating the body’s natural healing response. The technique involves injecting platelet-rich plasma, derived from your own blood, into the affected joint, ligament, muscle or tendon. The low-risk procedure is non-surgical and has minimal downtime.
FAQs About PRP Injections
How much are PRP injections?
How much PRP injections cost depends on the area of the body being treated, the complexity of the procedure and even where your provider is located. At Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island, we provide clear, upfront pricing at your consultation.
Does insurance cover PRP injections?
Coverage of PRP injections varies by insurance provider. If PRP is not covered by your insurance, you may be able to use funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the treatment.
How long should I wait to exercise after a PRP injection?
Dr. Argyriou will give you instructions for resuming your exercise routine. She typically has most patients wait a few days before beginning light exercises and gradually increasing the intensity as tolerated.
What doctor does PRP injections?
PRP injections can be performed by pain management physicians, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic doctors, among others.
Dr. Argyriou, a double-certified pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, performs PRP injections for back, neck and joint pain at our practice.
Interested in PRP Injections in Long Island or New Jersey?
Under the care of an expert like Dr. Argyriou, PRP injections are a promising solution for people seeking relief from chronic pain. By leveraging your body’s natural healing response, the treatment is a non-surgical way to regain function, reduce pain and improve your quality of life.
If you’re considering PRP injections on Long Island or in New Jersey, book a consultation at Spine Medicine & Surgery today!
Resources:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment
- Xiong Y, Gong C, Peng X, et al. Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10:1204144. Published 2023 Jun 27. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1204144
- Everts, P, Onishi, K, et al. Platelet-rich plasma: New performance understandings and therapeutic considerations in 2020. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21(20):7794. Published 2020 Oct 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21207794
- Brkljac M, Conville J, Sonar U, Kumar S. Long-term follow-up of platelet-rich plasma injections for refractory lateral epicondylitis [published correction appears in J Orthop. 2020 Dec 14;23:275. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2020.12.003]. J Orthop. 2019;16(6):496-499. Published 2019 Aug 14. doi:10.1016/j.jor.2019.08.023
