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PRP Doctor

IASM

Orthopedic Surgeons & Sports Medicine Physicians located in San Francisco, CA

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new, versatile treatment used to treat soft tissue injuries. Jeffrey Halbrecht, MD, in the Pacific Heights region of San Francisco, California, uses PRP to stimulate the healing of damaged tissue throughout the body. As the leading provider at IASM, Dr. Halbrecht specializes in advanced orthopedic treatments. To find out if PRP is the right treatment for you, book an appointment by phone or online today.

PRP Q & A

What is PRP?

Your blood is made up of a liquid called plasma as well as white cells, red cells, and platelets. Plasma primarily consists of water and proteins. Platelets are small, colorless cells that form clots and help stop and prevent bleeding. Platelets contain hundreds of growth factors essential to healing injuries throughout the body. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is plasma that contains higher levels of platelets than is typically found in the blood. When injected into damaged tissue, platelet-rich plasma uses your body’s own growth factors to stimulate new healthy tissue and promote healing. 

What conditions can be treated with PRP?

PRP is used to treat several soft tissue injuries including:

  • Pulled muscles
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Rotator cuff tears

PRP injections have also shown great success in treating chronic tendonitis. Tendonitis refers to inflammation and irritation of a tendon. Tendonitis results in dull, aching pain, tenderness, and swelling. In cases where tendonitis doesn’t clear up on its own, PRP is used to increase blood flow and improve healing in the injured area. PRP is also used to promote healing after certain surgical procedures like ACL surgery. Applying PRP during surgery can help support a speedy recovery. 

What should I expect from the procedure?

Platelet-rich plasma is harvested from your own blood. This makes PRP an effective treatment option with a low risk of side effects. To perform the procedure, Dr. Halbrecht takes a small sample of your blood. He then places the sample in a sophisticated centrifuge that isolates the plasma and platelets from the rest of your blood. 

Once isolated, the platelet-rich plasma is concentrated and prepared for the injection. PRP treatment is an in-office procedure that requires no anesthesia. It is often performed using ultrasound to guide the precise placement of your injection. Dr. Halbrecht injects the platelet-rich plasma directly into the injured area where it helps regenerate new tissue growth and accelerate healing. PRP injections are quick, easy, and require no downtime. After the treatment, you may experience some soreness or bruising that typically clears up in a few days. 

Dr. Halbrecht specializes in comprehensive orthopedic medicine. To find out if PRP is the right solution for your soft tissue injury, call the office or book an appointment online today.