Novato/North Bay
(415) 898-9818

San Francisco
(415) 984-2700

Sacramento
(916) 452-2005

Novato/North Bay
(415) 898-9818

San Francisco
(415) 984-2700

Sacramento
(916) 452-2005

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Treatments

Platelet therapy, or platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, is a revolutionary new treatment that relieves pain by promoting long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions using the healing power of your own body. This rapidly emerging technique is showing exciting success with osteoarthritis, chronic plantar fascitis, ankle sprains, tendonitis, and ligament sprains. Our physicians can determine if this advanced, non-surgical treatment is right for you.

How does PRP therapy help?

The body’s first response to soft tissue injury is to deliver platelet cells. Packed with growth and healing factors, platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. PRP therapy’s natural healing process intensifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets. To create PRP therapy, a small sample of your blood is drawn (similar to a lab test sample) and placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. These platelets have been further refined and concentrated depending on their specific use. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into and around the point of injury, jump-starting and significantly strengthening the body’s natural healing signal. Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection and a very low risk of allergic reaction.

How long does it take?

The procedure takes approximately about two hours, including preparation and recovery time. Performed safely in a medical office, PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks of surgery, general anesthesia, or hospital stays and without a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.

How often should this procedure be done?

In the beginning, enough treatments need to be done to maximize recovery. The precise number of treatment sessions varies with the area that was injured, the type of injury, and your ability to heal. Generally you can expect between one and 4 sessions. You may, however, gain considerable to complete relief after the first or second injection.

What are the expected results?

Unlike a typical injection that is done for pain relief, these injections do not immediately remove pain. However, because the goal of PRP therapy is to actually heal you, the results are usually long term, often permanent. Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks, gradually increasing as the healing progresses. Research studies and clinical practice have shown PRP therapy to be very effective at relieving pain and returning patients to their normal lives. Both ultrasound and MRI images have shown definitive tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the healing process. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses and the condition is irreversible