What is PRP Therapy?
Our blood contains many properties that promote healing. When we inject components of our blood, namely platelets, into an area that is causing pain it can stimulate a healing process in damaged or injured tissues.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative medicine that uses a patient’s own blood to promote healing in injured or diseased tissues.
The PRP treatment process involves drawing a sample of the patient’s blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors, and then injecting this platelet-rich plasma into the targeted area, such as an injured tendon, ligament, muscle, or joint.
PRP is considered minimally invasive and generally safe, as it utilises the patient’s own blood, thereby reducing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection.
Sport and Exercise Medicine Specialist Dr Ryan Kohler is revolutionising the treatment of sports injuries with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). And all of these treatments are conducted at the new Sports Injuries HQ Practice located in Ashmore.
PRP Treatment for various regions of the body
Dr Ryan Kohler has a long history of successfully treating people with PRP therapy in various regions of the body. Click on any of the links below to learn more about how PRP treatment can help injuries to a specific body part…
Explaining Platelets
Platelets are small discoid cells with a life span of about 7-10 days. Platelets contain clotting and growth factors. During the healing process, the platelets are activated and aggregate together. They then release the granules which contain growth factors which stimulate the inflammatory cascade and healing process.”
Dr Ryan Kohler explained that blood typically contains 6 percent platelets, while PRP has a significantly increased supra- physiological platelet concentration.
Although this level can vary depending on the method of extraction and equipment, studies have shown that clinical benefit can be obtained if the PRP used has an increased platelet concentration of four times greater than normal blood.
Dr Kohler warns people to be careful as not all practitioners deliver the correct PRP concentration to give you a successful treatment outcome.
The PRP Procedure
Sport and exercise physicians have experience looking after elite athletes as well as exercising individuals at recreational level – the so-called ‘weekend warriors’,” he said. “Many of our patients are injured and instinctively go straight to the physiotherapist without getting an accurate diagnosis from a sports physician.
This can lead to time loss and frustration. Our diagnostic and treatment skills include diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injection treatments, which include PRP, cortisone, prolotherapy, Botox and others, all of which are selected and customised to the presenting condition that the person has.
Are you interested in learning if you can benefit from PRP Treatments? Call the Sports Injury HQ team on 07 5597 1648, to see if this treatment is right for you.