PRP Injections Specialist
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Louis Peter Re, Jr., MD
located in Midtown West, New York, NY
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a cutting-edge treatment for a number of shoulder, knee, and elbow issues. If you’re in pain and need more relief than you’re getting, PRP injections may help. The solution comes from your own blood, but it’s specially processed to have up to 18 times the usual regenerative growth factors to help you heal. At the Midtown West area of Manhattan, New York City, fellowship-trained orthopedic medicine specialist Louis Peter Re Jr., MD, uses the industry’s most advanced PRP system to bring you remarkable results. Click on the online scheduler or call the office to learn more now.
PRP Injections Q & A
What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?
PRP is a regenerative treatment that Dr. Re creates using your own blood. The three solid parts of your blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, while plasma is the liquid.
PRP contains the platelets and plasma, in an extremely concentrated form. Platelets encourage blood clot formation to help in recovery. They also contain growth factors, which are remarkable proteins that incite tissue regeneration and healing.
Ordinarily, your blood has about 6% platelets. But, Dr. Re can use your blood to create a PRP solution with 94% platelets. Then, he injects the PRP to stimulate natural healing with maximum efficiency.
What problems do PRP injections treat?
Dr. Re may recommend an ultrasound-guided PRP injection for many types of ligament, tendon, muscle, and bone damage. A few common examples include:
- Shoulder injury or damage, such as biceps tendinitis and arthritis
- Knee damage or injury, such as knee arthritis
- Elbow damage or injury, such as tennis elbow
PRP greatly escalates and intensifies your body’s natural healing response — and, in turn, it can significantly reduce pain. Dr. Re may recommend PRP injections for acute and chronic pain if physical therapy and medication are inadequate.
Often, PRP injections play a big role in sports medicine because they can hasten recovery without requiring surgery.
PRP injections can also help if you’re trying to delay joint replacement surgery. It can keep you active and healthy longer than with medication and other nonsurgical care.
How does the PRP injection process work?
Dr. Re takes a blood sample of approximately 10 cubic centimeters (cc’s) from your elbow vein. He uses the cutting-edge Angel® system from Arthrex® to separate the blood into precise layers. The resulting PRP is nearly all healing platelets.
To start your procedure, Dr. Re administers a local anesthetic, and then applies a conductive gel over your skin in the area where you’re having shoulder pain. He uses a transducer to send out sound waves that form a clear picture of your inner shoulder.
Dr. Re views these images on the attached screen to place your injection at the ideal location.
What can I expect after a PRP injection?
Dr. Re performs PRP injections in the office, and you can resume your normal routine (excepting heavy exercise) right away. Discomfort around the injection area is normal, but it dissipates within a few days.
Use any prescribed medication as directed for pain relief, and apply cold compresses to ease soreness. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications until Dr. Re gives you the go-ahead.
Learn more about how PRP can relieve pain and launch recovery by calling Louis Peter Re Jr., MD, or booking an appointment online now.