Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)


What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a treatment in which a patient’s own platelets are injected into a specific area of the body with the goal of stimulating healing and growth in that area. PRP treatment in Los Angeles is a newer option for people suffering from many types of bone and soft tissue injuries.

Treatment Theory

Platelets are one of the main components of whole blood, along with red and white blood cells and liquid plasma. Platelets are clotting cells that help the body heal from injury. When you get a paper cut, for example, platelets accumulate in the cut and recruit clotting factors, which eventually form a fibrous scab that stops the bleeding. Researchers have found that platelets also release and recruit growth factors that stimulate the damaged area to re-grow and heal. Platelet-rich plasma treatment takes advantage of these unique functions of platelets. Theoretically, injecting high concentrations of platelets in damaged areas will allow growth factors to be released, which will help the area heal more quickly.

What Does PRP Involve?

Platelet-rich plasma in Los Angeles typically involves a 15-20 minute office procedure. During the visit a blood sample is taken from a patient and centrifuged. This high-speed spinning separates blood into different layers based on weight. The platelets and plasma can are separated from blood cells and are injected into the injured area. Additionally, because PRP works by inciting an initial inflammatory healing response, all anti-inflammatory drugs should be stopped when having platelet-rich plasma injections.

How Well Does PRP Work?

Most studies done on the effectiveness of PRP therapy in humans have been limited in scope and number of participants. While some studies have shown faster healing with PRP other studies have shown no difference with regard to saline placebos. The location and extent of the injury is likely to make a large difference in PRP’s ability to work. However, because the treatment is made from the patient’s own blood, PRP is a very low-risk, outpatient treatment, which has made it gain popularity recently.

PRP for arthritis, joint pain, and other sports injuries is provided by Dr. Millstein at Millstein Orthopedics in Los Angeles.

If you are interested in seeing if plasma injections in Los Angeles can help you recover from your injury, please call Beverly Hills sports medicine and orthopedic expert Dr. Millstein at (310) 595-1030 or schedule an appointment online.

For more information on platelet-rich plasma, read our PRP patient form.

What we offer

Conditions & Treatments