Injection Therapy

PRP is created by taking a sample of a patient’s own blood (similar to when blood is drawn for routine blood work). The blood is then placed into a machine and filtered to separate out a high concentration of platelets. This “platelet-rich plasma” is then injected into a specific area to treat muscle or tendon injuries and enhance healing. The entire process takes about 15 minutes and can be performed in an office or operating room setting.

PRP has been used and proven effective in multiple medical specialties including cosmetic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, urology, and ophthalmology. The use of PRP in orthopedics, especially sports medicine, is growing given its potential to enhance muscle and tendon healing.

Laboratory testing has supported the beneficial effects of PRP therapy in new muscle, tendon and ligaments injuries, as well as in the treatment of more chronic overuse conditions such as tendinitis. Multiple promising studies suggest PRP to be beneficial in shortening recovery and rehabilitation after orthopedic surgical procedures.

Early orthopedic studies have shown good results when giving PRP to patients with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and patellar tendonitis.

PRP therapy is now being used as a treatment option during surgery to enhance healing and speed the rate of recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, Achilles tendon repair, and rotator cuff repair.

In addition to using PRP to treat chronic debilitating overuse conditions, many professional athletes have used PRP injections to get back on the field faster and safer after muscle or tendon injury. The use of PRP in sports medicine has the potential to lead to higher rates of healing, a faster rehabilitation after injury, and a quicker return to activity for athletes of all levels.

The number of treatments can vary and depends on the severity of the problem or injury. Some people respond within four weeks and only require one treatment. Other times a response can take up to six months and require multiple injections.

Because the injection is simply a platelet-rich version of a patient’s own blood cells, the therapy is very safe. The risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission is effectively zero. Patients with a known blood disorder or infection should avoid PRP injections.

The price of a PRP injection is an important consideration, as the cost varies. As PRP therapy may be able to prevent an expensive surgical procedure or possibly enhance the speed of healing after surgery, some insurance providers will reimburse for PRP injections.

Given PRP therapy’s excellent safety profile and ease of preparation, its use in sports medicine will likely continue to grow. The procedure is minimally invasive, virtually painless and far less expensive than surgery. In addition, the potential to improve tissue healing and get patients back to their activities quickly and safely make this procedure attractive to both patients and physicians. Consult an experienced health care provider or orthopedic surgeon to see if a PRP injection is right for you.

Cortisone is a naturally produced hormone released by the adrenal gland in your body during times of stress. A synthetic, injectable version of cortisone is available as a medication that can reduce inflammation, taking away pain and swelling in muscles, joints, and soft tissue.

Cortisone injections are given to patients with a variety of medical conditions including shoulder and knee arthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, and bursitis. These are the primary inflammatory conditions where an injection of cortisone would be used and are commonly performed in the physician’s office setting.

A cortisone injection can take between 2-7 days to begin reducing the inflamed area. Depending on the severity of the condition, an injection may last anywhere between one month to ten years. Although cortisone can be administered to more than one area of the body, the general recommendation is that these injections are spaced out every four months per injection location.

Overall, cortisone injections are very safe. Occasionally, the steroid injection can be known to temporarily increase a patient’s blood sugar. For those patients with diabetes, we recommend 24-hour blood sugar checks after an injection. Too much cortisone may also damage tissue, which is why injections are spaced out every four months.

Usually, a cortisone injection completed by an experienced professional is no different than a needle stick for a blood draw. Each injection takes under 5 seconds to administer, and it is only one needle stick. Less painful areas for injections are the shoulder and knee, while more sensitive areas like the bottom of the foot have higher pain potential.

In my profession, I have found cortisone injections to be a safe and effective way to decrease inflammation and reduce pain associated with common orthopedic conditions. Ask your primary physician if a cortisone injection would be an appropriate treatment plan for your condition.