Platelet rich plasma injections (PRP)

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection is an innovative technique for the treatment of painful joints, tendons and some other parts of the body, and is one of the pain management treatments now available at Hadley Wood Hospital.

What are platelets

Platelets are tiny particles found in their millions in the plasma of everyone’s blood. Platelets are primarily there to stop bleeding – but for some time it has been understood that substances contained inside platelets can also help reduce inflammation in painful body tissues.

Because platelets occur naturally in our bodies, PRP treatment may be more natural, with longer-lasting results than steroid injections, especially if steroid injections have been tried once already and because they are from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of transmitting viruses or other infections as there can be with transfusions.

The procedure

New equipment and techniques have been developed recently to make the injection of a person’s own PRP a simpler and more speedy procedure, and considerable success has been reported for the technique.

Some PRP injections can be carried out in the clinic, while others – where larger joints or spinal structures are being treated – may need to be carried out in theatre, with X-ray or ultrasound imaging to help guide the injection accurately. Light sedation may be offered to help you relax.

• Please note, PRP injections may or may not be administered at your initial consultation; your consultant will advise you on your suitability for treatment during your consultation. An initial consultation fee will still apply even if treatment does not go ahead on the day or your consultant considers you to be unsuitable.
  
  Prior to your consultation, we would require a previous medical history such as reports, diagnostics and clinical letters in addition to a GP referral for all pain management injection treatments, including, but not limited to PRP injections. If further tests, scans and diagnostics are carried out at our hospital, these will be charged in addition to your initial consultation fee; your consultant will advise you on your visit.
  
  All follow up consultation fees carry a separate charge.