Platelet rich plasma injections

Prices and locations

Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet

Procedure	Price
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections	£795

See all prices Select location See all locations

Shepton Mallet

Procedure	Price
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections	£795

See all prices Select location See all locations

What is platelet rich plasma and how does it work?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a medical treatment that utilises components of your own blood to promote healing and tissue regeneration. PRP is derived by drawing a small amount of your blood and processing it to concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors that aid in healing.

Blood is taken and placed in a centrifuge machine which spins the blood to separate the red blood cells from platelets (platelets are cell fragments that produce substances called growth factors). The platelet rich plasma (PRP) obtained is re-injected into the affected tendon.

The aim is to supply the tendon with growth factors that start the healing process and reduce pain and swelling. Injecting patients with their own blood product can be used to treat people with tendon problems that cause pain, weakness and stiffness.

What conditions do platelet rich plasma injections treat?

Platelet rich plasma injections can reduce pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis (wear and tear), particularly in the knee, hip, and larger joints. Platelet rich plasma is often used to treat painful conditions like tendonitis or tendinopathy in the elbow, shoulder and ankle.

What are the benefits of platelet rich plasma treatment?

Among the main benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma therapy are:

• Natural healing: Uses your body’s own healing mechanisms.
• Minimally invasive: Non-surgical procedure with minimal downtime.
• Reduced pain and inflammation: Can help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis or tendon injuries.
• Accelerated recovery: May speed up recovery from injuries or surgeries.

What are the risks of platelet rich plasma treatment?

While generally considered safe, the potential risks include:

• Infection: As with any injection, there is a slight risk of infection.
• Bleeding: Some bleeding or bruising may occur at the injection site.
• Nerve damage: On rare occasions, the injection may cause nerve injury.
• Inadequate results: Not all patients may experience the desired improvement.

Can I get referred for platelet rich plasma therapy?

Platelet rich plasma treatment is not available for NHS patients. Patients can access the treatment the following ways:

• GP referral
• Physiotherapist referral
• Self-referral.

The treatment will be explained to you as below to ensure that you understand the benefits and risks.

Preparing for platelet rich plasma therapy

The injection uses a local anaesthetic, so you will be unable to drive yourself home following the procedure, so you’ll need to organise a taxi or ask a friend to drive you home.

Two weeks before the procedure

Please avoid taking any anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Aspirin or Ibuprofen) for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure. You should also try to avoid smoking or excessive alcohol consumption to achieve the best possible treatment results.

Medication

Please let us know if any of the following bullet points are applicable to you:

• You are taking any blood-thinning (anti-coagulant) medication (e.g. Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban).
• You are taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. Voltaren, Neurofen, Naproxen. (these must be stopped 2 weeks prior to the procedure).
• If you are taking any antibiotics.
• You have a concern you may have an infection.
• You have any allergies to medications.

What happens after the procedure?

Following your treatment, you should try to follow the guidelines below:

• Rest: Avoid strenuous activities for 24-48 hours following the injection.
• Ice application: Apply ice to the injection site to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can be used; avoid NSAIDs for the first 48 hours as they may interfere with healing.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Keep the injection site protected from direct sunlight to prevent irritation.
• Follow-up: Schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the results and determine if further treatment is needed.