How Does PRP Work for Sports Injuries

Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is a type of sports medicine used to treat various sports-related injuries such as sprains and tendonitis. If you play sports, you are likely to be aware of PRP. The treatment gained much popularity after famous sportspersons such as Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods started using it.

One of the many reasons why PRP has been the first choice of many sports celebrities is because it uses blood from your own body to heal your injuries. Some people have even reported returning to sports more quickly with the help of PRP. Therefore, if you are looking for Houston sports medicine, PRP may be the right choice for you. But first, it is essential to know how exactly PRP works.

What is PRP, and how does it work?

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Human blood is mainly a liquid (plasma); however, there are also solid components like RBCs, WBCs, and platelets. The primary function of platelets is to form clots and prevent bleeding at injury sites. However, they also contain proteins that are essential for the healing of injuries.

PRP treatment aims to use these proteins for healing sports injuries. The doctor first draws blood from the patient’s body for PRP and separates the platelets from the RBCs and WBCs. The process of centrifugation increases the concentration of the platelets. Further, the doctor injects this concentrated platelet plasma at the site of the injury.

The prepared plasma contains ten times the concentration of platelets than normal. This helps trigger the process of healing.

Conditions treated with PRP

PRP can heal any muscle or tendon injuries that are often acquired while playing sports. A few of the many conditions treated with PRP are as follows.

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Some sports require you to move your hands and wrists constantly. It can cause pain and inflammation due to repetitive movement. This condition is known as tennis elbow. However, not only athletes suffer from tennis elbow. Any person with a job requiring repetitive motions of the wrist and arm can develop this condition, such as carpenters, plumbers, butchers, etc.

Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)

Jumper’s knee causes inflammation of your patellar tendon. This condition is caused by overuse of your knee joints, such as playing sports that require jumping on hard surfaces. This may include basketball and volleyball. Repetitive jumping can affect your kneecap, causing swelling and pain.

Benefits of PRP

• It is a non-invasive procedure, unlike surgery. Thus, fewer chances of complications.
• It uses ingredients taken from your own body.
• It provides long-term relief.