Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections | NewYork-Presbyterian (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of PRP injections? ›

A PRP injection is a low-risk procedure and does not usually cause major side effects. The procedure involves a blood draw, so you should make sure you are hydrated and have eaten beforehand to prevent feeling lightheaded. After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and bruising at the injection site.

The first few days following the injection is known as the inflammatory phase. Some people may feel an increase in pain during this time. It may take 6-8 weeks to assess the body's response to the treatment. Full recovery may take 3-6 months, with tendon injuries usually requiring a longer recovery time.

Every patient is different, but doctors believe PRP may promote a longer-lasting recovery from an injury than some other treatments. Some patients report that their pain improved in four to six weeks—sometimes sooner—and that their condition continued to show improvement for up to a year.

The normal human range of platelet concentration is 150 000 to 450 000 platelets per µL of whole venous blood. Concentrations of platelets in PRP differ widely, ranging from 2.5 to 8.0 times the concentration of platelets found in whole blood.

A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that exogenously activated PRP is more effective in improving pain and function than non-activated PRP in patients with knee OA. However, conflicting evidence suggesting less efficient wound healing has questioned whether rapid delivery of growth factors is ideal.

You may not be a good candidate for hair restoration if you have certain health problems, including blood clotting or bleeding problems. You should not have PRP injections if you have a skin infection or active skin condition on your scalp at treatment time.

Stem Cell Therapy is a more advanced treatment compared to PRP Therapy. PRP Therapy recruits growth factors in the injured area to aid in healing. Stem Cell Therapy not only does the same thing that PRP offers, which is initiating the body's repair response, it also enhances stem cell activity for regeneration.

Since caffeine can increase inflammation and decrease platelet activity, it is generally recommended to avoid drinking coffee after PRP treatment for at least 48 hours. This gives the body enough time to heal correctly and helps ensure that your cells have time to respond to the treatment.

You'll need to complete a series of four to six treatments to achieve real PRP hair treatment results, and you'll be able to enjoy new hair growth for about 18 to 24 months. Because PRP is not permanent, touch-up treatments are recommended once a year.

Before PRP therapy, eat dark, leafy, green vegetables and increase your iron and vitamin B intake. In addition, you should do high-intensity cardio workouts and, of course, follow your provider's post-procedure instructions. You also want to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming foods that reduce platelets.

What is PRP success rate? ›

In fact, many global studies prove that PRP therapy is considered one of the most successful non-surgical hair loss treatment methods, with a success rate of 80-92 per cent in India.

PRP injections are a natural, safe, chemical-free treatment that uses the plasma in your own blood to promote healing and minimize inflammation. That means receiving multiple injections poses no harm and won't produce an allergic reaction.

We may not inject PRP if you have cancer, an active infection, unstable angina, or a blood disorder such as anemia or severe hypovolemia (low blood volume). To be a good candidate, you must also have normal platelet function, which means that platelet disorders disqualify you from getting PRP treatments.

Tissue damage can occur if the needle is too big, inserted at the wrong angle, or administered in an area with accumulated scar tissue. This can cause inflammation, pain, and discomfort. However, capable doctors can ensure they use the appropriate needle length in the body.

While rare, there are a few long-term side effects of PRP injections, such as scar tissue, injury to the blood vessels, and injury to the nerve. Most of these long-term side effects can be avoided with a leading, PRP therapy clinic like PRP in Seattle.

Do not take Aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for 5 days prior to your session. These can be resumed three days after. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include products such as Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Bufferin, Excedrin, Empirin, Nu-Prin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.)