PRP injections are the latest, and by some reports greatest, of treatments available for overuse injuries. Used to treat tennis elbow, patellar tendonitis, Achilles pain, and other orthopedic conditions, PRP has been touted by some to be the magic cure for these challenging-to-treat conditions.
Unfortunately, a growing body of scientific evidence is failing to demonstrate that PRP is better than other standard treatments, and may in fact be worse. What's more, is that PRP is very expensive, and usually must be paid for by the patient as most insurance plans will not cover this unproven treatment.
A recent article in the New York Times recommended patients seek other standard treatments, rather than foot the bill for PRP injections. They cite a soon to be published study that compared PRP injections with injections of plain blood for treatment of tennis elbow. Proponents of PRP claim it works by concentrating the healing stimulants found in blood, and deliver these to the site of injury by injection. Both whole blood and PRP contain these "growth factors," but the PRP has it in much higher concentrations. One would expect the higher concentrations of growth factors in PRP to deliver better healing, but in fact, the opposite was found to be the case.
Certainly one study does not prove a treatment obsolete, but a growing number of studies are questioning how effective PRP is, and if it's better than other treatments more readily available.
Have you tried PRP? Leave your comments below!
Source: "Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Really Work?" New York Times; January 26, 2011
Although I have not personally experienced PRP, as an outpatient orthopedics physical therapist, I have explored several studies and I have to concur with you Dr. Cluett. Many treatments that medical professionals provide can be argued that there is not sufficient evidence to support the use but there is not even a positive lean with the accumulating evidence.
As with any alternative treatment, if you can afford it, try it if you want–it might work for you.
PRP has growth factors which produce scar tissue and therefore it helps heal capsule and tendon injuries. It has no place to repair joint cartilage since the growth factores produce scar tissue, never cartilage.
Most drs are using it for the fees they can extract from unknowing patients: up to $900.00 a shot. The practice of using PRP should require special training of the practitioner and a license. It is best to use other more reliable treatments which are coveres byt most insurance.
Yesterday I underwent scoping of my knee, which revealed torn meniscus. Even though there is no scientific proof that PRP helps orthopedic injuries, as long as there was even a small chance that it might help, I was willing to pay the small amt. the surgical center charged for the PRP injection. Our insurance naturally would not pay, but at least I know I tried everything, and ultimately it might buy me some time and avoid knee replacment down the road.
PRP is not a magic procedure, is expensive and the results donīt justify the procedure. A shiper form to do it: I do a punture in the iliac crest and aspirate a bone marrow around 5-6 cc and I inject directly in the joint when I finish the artroscopy, is well tolerate you uso only one Jamshidi needle and xringe, andthe results are the same as PRP. I use the procedure in non union fractures, bening bone cyst.
PRP may have benefits for some but it did absolutely nothing for me. I had four injections over several months and paid a small fortune and it did nothing. That is a major downfall because they cannot tell you with any level of certainty that it will work and of course they tell you to try at least four injections before deciding that it doesn’t work (which I think is just a way to get the money). I was extremely disappionted and felt it was a total waste.
I am going through injections at this time. I was told 2-3 injections never 4? Also, 4-6wks between. I have tried everything, but surgery. Most doctors just try to put me on some drugs. I will live with the pain before I destroy my liver. I went to three different doctors before I chose one. Some are doing it and have no clue what it does. The doctor I found has a vast knowledge of PRP and knows about all the research. He tells you how it is and trys to help. I go back for second treatment in a week, I am hopeful. I also believe some of these things take time.
Hi, I am going for my very first PRP injection tomorrow morning. I have read alot of positive benefits of PRP and am a believer. I want to avoid surgery. I have to give this a try. I will be charged $250.00 and my Dr. will administer only 1 shot to a patient per year. I have Plantar Fasciitis and have tried everything over a year now. I feel it is less invasive as surgery and I need t try it. I have HOPE. To be rid of this awful 24-7 pain, I have to try! It is debilitating and now it’s affecting my hip from walking wrong with this pain. I have developed a bone spur too. Keeping my fingers crossed and I will try to remember to update this in about 6 weeks. Like one poster said, it will take time! Finger’s crossed and I thank my Dr. for at least trying to offer me something to help.
i had the the prp done in my elbow and feel the same way i have been feeling is pain and its only been 9 days now.
It’s been 6 weeks to the day! That I had my PRP injections into my heel for severe Plantar Fasciitis (it will be one year since it began last May)!!! And I have to say I FEEL BETTER!!!!!!!
I am SO impressed with the results! Happy. Happy. There is now a very slight sensation at the very END of my day… feels like a little bit of a pulse? in the damaged area… but I have no pain, when resting like I did. And I have no pain after stepping out of bed in the am and I can pretty much stand all day at work on the hard cement floors now!
I did wear a walking cast and was on crutches for the first 2 weeks in order to stay off the heal as much as possible. I did wear a night splint when sleeping and even if just sitting watching tv with my foot elevated. Hope this helps anyone questioning PRP! I would do it AGAIN! (It was pretty painful, my Dr. had a heck of a time freezing me up, so I did feel some sensation when he had the needle in there and “Peppered” the PF where it attaches to the heel. But, with these result.. I would definitely do it all over again