PRP for Osteoarthritis

An Overview on PRP Joint Injections

The joints throughout the human body naturally begin to deteriorate as the body ages. According to the CDC, an estimated 52.5 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by normal wear and tear of the joint or chronic overuse in the athletic population. Osteoarthritis occurs when articular cartilage, the smooth, white substance covering the ends of each bone, wears down and causes bone to rub against bone. Dr. Nikhil Verma, Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois elbow specialist and knee surgeon, offers PRP joint injections to help ease the painful symptoms of arthritis. Blood plasma treatment is a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment designed to accelerate healing in arthritic joints.

What is Blood Plasma Treatment through Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Human blood is composed of four key structures, including plasma, platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. Clinical research has proven that platelets naturally gravitate towards an injured area in the body and release growth factors. Growth factors help aid in the healing of chronic tendon and ligament injuries, as well as muscle injuries.

Blood plasma treatment was developed as a solution to help the body accelerate healing before scar tissue can form. Scar tissue is proven to slow, alter or even stop the body’s natural healing process. If you would like to see the leading research on the outcomes of biologic/regenerative treatments, please visit our research library.

Can PRP Injections Help You?

There are two ways to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure:

You can provide current X-rays and/or MRIs for a clinical case review ($250).
You can schedule an office consultation that should be covered by your insurance.

PRP Joint Injections as an Osteoarthritis Treatment

Blood plasma treatment through PRP joint injections is utilized by Dr. Verma and his orthopedic team to reduce joint pain, swelling and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis. These injections can be used as an alternative to conventional injections such as cortisone or vicosupplementation.

Dr. Verma begins blood plasma treatment by harvesting platelet rich plasma from a patient’s own blood, commonly drawn from the patient’s arm. The vial of blood is then spun in a centrifuge, a special machine that uses high speeds to separate the four key structures of human blood. Once the components are separated, the platelet rich plasma is removed. The plasma is then injected into the injured joint releasing three to five times the growth factors compared to normal human blood. These growth factors gravitate to the injured area and help accelerate the body’s natural healing process.

Response to treatment varies with each patient, depending on numerous factors Dr. Verma will discuss in great detail. PRP joint injections take less than 15 minutes. Most patients will require 1-3 sets of blood plasma treatment with each treatment spaced 4-6 weeks apart. As platelet rich plasma is obtained from the patient’s own blood, the risk of reaction is low. As with any injection, there is a small risk of injury to structures in the area, as well as a very small risk of infection.

Have a question about biologic treatment? Dr. Verma answers frequently asked questions.

For additional information on blood plasma treatment through PRP joint injections to treat osteoarthritis, please contact the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois orthopedic practice of elbow specialist and knee surgeon Dr. Nikhil Verma.

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