Frequently Asked Questions about PRP
What conditions are treated with PRP and PRP/fat cell therapy?
A wide range of orthopedic problems including joint cartilage problems such as arthritis, partial tears of tendons/ muscles and ligaments, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, chronic bursitis as well as fractures that have failed to heal.
How does PRP therapy work?
PRP is platelet rich plasma. This concentration of platelets from your own bloodstream contains huge amounts of bioactive proteins and growth factors which stimulate growth and repair of injured tissues including cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
What is the recovery time from the procedure and how will I see results?
You can expect a few days of increased pain immediately after the procedure. In most cases, the pain is gone within 5 days and improvement begins. Within a few weeks you should notice a great deal of relief. It can take 2-3 months for full benefits to be realized.
Is the procedure painful?
Minimal pain is associated with the procedure. A local anesthetic is used to minimize your discomfort. After the procedure, we recommend extra strength Tylenol and ice packs to alleviate pain.
Do I need to have an MRI of the area?
Previous MRI’s are helpful, but not always necessary. Sometimes we can get the information we need from plain X Rays or CT scans.
What tests do I need prior to PRP/fat cell therapy?
We like to check a CBC (complete blood count) to make sure you have an adequate number of platelets to ensure a successful treatment.
Are there any medical conditions that would exclude me from being a PRP candidate?
Yes, patients with active infections or active cancer are not eligible for this procedure.
How many treatments are needed for best results?
Number of treatments vary depending on individual responses. Most patients will require between 1 and 3 treatments, spaced about 4 weeks apart.
Is the age of injury relevant to the success of PRP therapy?
PRP/fat cell therapy can help many cases where the problem has been present for many years as well as more recent problems.
Does insurance cover PRP therapy?
Recently CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes became available which can be used to submit for reimbursement from your insurance carrier for PRP. We recommend that you check with your insurance company to see if they offer PRP as a covered service.
What is the success rate?
In a series of over 2000 patients over 85% noted significant improvement or complete resolution of symptoms.
