PRP Orthopedic Injections

Many active individuals living in the Van Nuys, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Los Angeles, California communities have heard of famous athletes undergoing platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy in order to return to the game without a surgical procedure. Developed in the 1970s, blood platelet injection therapy has advanced significantly and recently gained popularity as a safe, non-surgical and often effective treatment option for a number of sports related and orthopedic injuries. Dr. Mark Getelman is available to diagnose and address treatment options including any questions an athlete suffering from a injury may have about PRP orthopedic injections.

Common Uses of PRP Orthopedic Injections

PRP orthopedic injections are used by many physicians to treat:

Chronic tendon injuries
Acute ligament injuries
Acute muscle injuries

Blood platelet injection therapy is most commonly used to treat acute muscle and ligament injuries, such as a knee sprain or an injured hamstring muscle. PRP orthopedic injections may also be used to effectively treat tendonitis in the knee and shoulder joints.

How Does Blood Platelet Injection Therapy Work?

Blood platelet injection therapy combines the body’s natural healing abilities with medical technology. Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma are the four main components of human blood. Platelets release healing proteins, known as growth factors, when activated in the body following an injury. Growth factors have the natural ability to help an injured area of the body heal when they are concentrated in an area of injury. PRP injection allows the physician to add greater levels of platelets and growth factors to areas of injury and as such may improve the body’s natural healing capability.

PRP orthopedic injections begin with a physician performing a simple blood draw on the patient to extract approximately 30-60 milliliters of blood. The blood sample is then spun in a special machine, a centrifuge, in order to separate the four main structures of human blood. Once separated, the platelet rich plasma is isolated from the other structures, and then injected directly into the damaged tissue often using ultrasound to guide the acute placement. The plasma releases 3-7 times the growth factors of normal blood to help accelerate the healing process.

PRP orthopedic injections can easily be performed during an in-office visit and typically take less than 20 minutes. The majority of patients require 1-3 sessions of blood platelet injection therapy, with each session spaced 4-6 weeks apart. The risks of PRP therapy are low since the growth factors are harvested from the patient’s own blood.

For additional resources on blood platelet injection therapy, or to determine if PRP orthopedic injections can help treat your sports injury, please contact Dr. Mark Getelman, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist serving the Van Nuys, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Los Angeles, California area.

Mark Getelman, MD

Average rating:

123 reviews

John P

Aug 14, 2024

by John P on Mark Getelman, MD

I am so eternally thankful for Dr. Getelman’s skillful repair of my right shoulder. Pain is mostly absent. Limitations are great, as far as weight bearing and quick muscle movements, but the absence of pain has greatly made sleep, reaching for items, using a kitchen knife once again, washing my hair and brushing my teeth "normal" once more.

His time and expertise on my surgery is much appreciated.

To think about the quality of some regularity he will return to the next patient from a truly grateful past candidate.

Thank you Doctor, for your steady hand and complex, complicated, compassionate repair.

Sincerely,

John P.

Steven

Apr 30, 2018

by Steven on Mark Getelman, MD

Shoulder Rotator cuff pantient

Dr. Getelman and his assistant Katie did an excellent job on my rotator cuff surgery April 12, 2017. The shoulder needed an extensive amount of work. I took PT (physical therapy) very seriously the following four months. Due to a successful surgery and a lot of PT I was able to get all my range of motion back and great strength. I also approved on how efficient the office staff are. I am very thankful to all that helped me.

Anonymous

Apr 12, 2018

by Anonymous on Mark Getelman, MD

They are very knowledgeable and professional.

I had an excellent experience with Dr. Getelman and his staff. They are very knowledgeable and professional.

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PRP Orthopedic Injections