platelet-rich-plasma

Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive, regenerative treatment that uses your own blood to promote healing and reduce pain.

During this procedure, a small sample of your blood is processed to concentrate platelets—cells that contain growth factors essential for tissue repair and healing. This concentrated plasma is then injected into the injured or painful area.

PRP is widely used to treat joint pain, tendon injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded to traditional treatments.

What Conditions Does This Treatment Help?

PRP therapy may be used to treat:
  • Joint pain (knee, shoulder, hip)
  • Tendon injuries (tennis elbow, rotator cuff, Achilles tendon)
  • Ligament injuries
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Chronic back or neck pain

How Does PRP Therapy Work?

Platelets play a key role in the body’s healing process.
  • Blood is drawn from your body
  • It is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets
  • The PRP is injected into the affected area
  • Growth factors stimulate cell repair, tissue regeneration, and healing
PRP helps accelerate natural healing rather than just masking pain, making it different from steroid injections.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Before the Procedure
  • Review of medical history
  • You may be asked to avoid certain medications (like NSAIDs)
During the Procedure
  • Blood is drawn (similar to a routine lab test)
  • Processed in a centrifuge to isolate PRP
  • Injection is performed under ultrasound or imaging guidance
  • Procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes
After the Procedure
  • Mild swelling or soreness is common
  • Most patients return home the same day

Benefits of PRP Therapy

✔ Uses your body’s natural healing ability
✔ Minimally invasive, no surgery required
✔ May reduce pain and improve function
✔ Can promote tissue repair and regeneration
✔ Low risk of allergic reaction (uses your own blood)

PRP may provide long-term improvement rather than temporary relief.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate if you:
  • Have chronic joint or tendon pain
  • Have not improved with medications or therapy
  • Want a non-surgical, regenerative treatment option
  • Have mild to moderate degenerative conditions
PRP is often recommended before considering more invasive procedures.

Risks & Side Effects

PRP therapy is generally safe, but possible side effects include:
  • Temporary pain or swelling at injection site
  • Mild inflammation (part of healing process)
  • Infection or bleeding (rare)
Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of complications is very low.

When Is This Treatment Recommended?

PRP therapy is typically recommended when:
  • Conservative treatments have failed
  • Pain is related to tendon, ligament, or joint degeneration
  • Patients want to avoid surgery
  • Long-term healing is preferred over temporary relief
👉 It is positioned as an early-to-intermediate treatment before advanced procedures or surgery

Recovery & Results

  • Mild soreness may last 1–2 days
  • Improvement typically begins within a few weeks
  • Full healing response may take several weeks to months
  • Results can last 6–12 months or longer
Some patients may benefit from a series of injections.

FAQs

PRP focuses on healing tissue, while steroids mainly reduce inflammation temporarily.
Some patients need 1–3 sessions depending on the condition.

Most patients experience mild discomfort during and after the injection.

Results may last several months to a year or longer.

Treatment Offered By Kansas Pain Management

Kansas Pain Management offers a comprehensive pain treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. The first step is a thorough evaluation, which includes a medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, if necessary.
Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

Kansas Pain Management also offers a range of minimally invasive procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function. With board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, Kansas Pain Management is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients suffering from pain. You can book an appointment with us at Overland Park, Lawrence, Leavenworth/Lansing, Roeland Park, etc. We also serve nearby locations like Ottawa, Missouri, Topeka, Belton, Manhattan, Lee’s Summit, Johnson County & Kansas areas.

FAQs

 PRP therapy uses healing growth components from your own blood that may increase your body’s natural ability to repair itself.

PRP is used for chronic tendon issues, acute ligament injuries, muscle injuries, knee arthritis, and fractures.

Blood is extracted from the patient and centrifuged (spun at high speeds) to separate the plasma and concentrate the platelets.

Yes, PRP comes from the patient's own blood, making it a natural regenerative option.