Relief for Musculoskeletal Pain: Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
If you’re suffering with musculoskeletal pain, our team at Westgate Family Physicians may recommend Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. This regenerative medicine treatment can be used for muscle and joint injuries, arthritis pain, tendinitis and other conditions caused by trauma (accidents, sprains, etc.), muscle overuse, repetitive movements, sports injuries, strain, etc.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-Rich Plasma is human blood that has a higher concentration of platelets – cells that bind together (clot) to heal damaged blood vessels, thus providing natural healing abilities. Platelets in your blood have growth factors that have been shown to stimulate tissue regeneration and collagen production. PRP injections allow your body to use your own tissues for musculoskeletal pain relief and to increase mobility.
How Does PRP Work?
The first step is to draw a small amount of blood from your arm. This blood is then placed into a spinning centrifuge machine with the goal of separating out the platelets from the plasma. Your unique Platelet-Rich Plasma is then injected into targeted areas where you are experiencing pain such as the knees, shoulders, elbows, ankles, planter fasciitis, etc. The goal is to add growth factor hormones in those specific areas to accelerate healing and reduce pain. We encourage our patients to be patient when trying this therapy: It may take up to 6 months to experience the full results of PRP injections.
PRP is not recommended for people who have a low platelet count, abnormal platelets, anemia, cancer or an infection.
Does Insurance Cover PRP Therapy?
PRP injections are not typically covered by insurance. At Westgate Family Physicians, we treat PRP therapy as a cash procedure with payments due at the time of service. More than one injection may be necessary to achieve the best results.
PRP Consultations
If you are interested in learning more about PRP therapy in Spartanburg, SC, we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. This appointment is important to help you fully understand the PRP process, treatment options, timeframes and cost. We will also assess your unique condition and let you know if we feel PRP injections would be an effective option for you. Click here to contact us today.