5 Benefits of PRP Therapy for Athletes

Looking for a way to get back on the playing field after an injury? PRP may be the answer.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or just someone with an active lifestyle, an injury can be devastating. No athlete wants to face the prospect of surgery followed by a lengthy recovery period keeping them from the sport they love. However, there is another option: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Although PRP therapy has been around for decades, its usage has soared in the past 10 to 15 years, according to one study — and it’s proven effective in treating various orthopedic conditions. Let’s examine what PRP injections are used for and their benefits.

What is PRP therapy?

PRP therapy uses the platelets in your blood to heal damaged tissue. Why are platelets so important? Platelets are the cells that help your body heal after an injury.

To obtain those valuable platelets, your doctor draws a vial of your blood and puts it in a centrifuge, which spins around and separates the platelets from the red and white blood cells. The concentration of platelets is then infused in a plasma solution and injected into the painful area of the body, helping to heal a variety of orthopedic conditions, such as:

• Soft tissue damage. PRP therapy can heal torn or strained ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and tendons. PRP injections can also help with chronic pain, such as that caused by tendonitis or bursitis.
• Chronic pain. PRP injections can alleviate chronic pain related to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and shoulder. They can also help with neck and back pain.
• Common sports injuries. Common sports injuries, including rotator cuff tears, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis, are just a few of the orthopedic injuries PRP therapy can treat.

The five benefits of PRP therapy

Your orthopedist will determine if PRP therapy is right for you and your condition or injury. If the injury is severe, you may require surgery. However, for most injuries and painful chronic conditions, PRP offers these five benefits:

1. Promotes natural healing. PRP therapy heals the body naturally by using its own platelets. Not only does PRP repair damaged tissue, but it can regenerate it and make it stronger, thereby reducing the risk of re-injury.
2. Reduces pain and inflammation. When you’re in pain and want immediate relief, PRP can reduce the inflammation that is often the root of discomfort. PRP injections are a better alternative to pain relief than cortisone shots, which can effectively reduce pain but do not heal the tissue as PRP therapy can.
3. Speeds recovery. Although the benefits of PRP therapy may not be felt immediately and you may need more than one shot, it definitely quickens the recovery period compared to surgery followed by a lengthy physical therapy program, which could take months. The sooner you heal, the sooner you can return to the playing field or your regular workout regimen.
4. Has minimal side effects. The only side effect is slight bruising and stiffness where the injection is placed. There is also a slim chance your body will reject the PRP injection because it uses your body’s own cells.
5. Avoids surgery. Any athlete would prefer to avoid surgery, and PRP therapy may help them avoid an invasive procedure when appropriate. Even if surgery is necessary, PRP injections after the operation can speed up the healing process.

Explore PRP therapy with All Sports Physical Therapy

At All Sports Physical Therapy, we offer a variety of treatment methods including PRP therapy and physical therapy. Our goal is to help you overcome pain with the most innovative therapies available. Contact us today for a consultation.