Platelet Rich Plasma FAQ in Los Angeles CA
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
As defined by John Hopkins Medicine (where LA’s top PRP physician was the Regional Supervising Physician), Platelet-Rich Plasma is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentration of an individual’s own blood cells to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints.
How is Platelet Rich Plasma Administered?
Platelet-Rich Plasma is administered through a multi-step process. It begins with a blood draw from the client. PRP is then prepared by spinning the client’s blood in a centrifuge to separate
and concentrate the platelets. While protocols vary, this process typically involves a double-spin method to achieve the desired concentration. TOMI Regenerative Medicine, on the other hand,
uses a proprietary process that has shown to be more effective, delivering faster injury repair and pain management when compared against standard practices in Los Angeles County. You
can ask about the process here. Once the spinning process has been completed, treatment concludes with an injection of concentrated platelets into the target area.
How Long Does PRP Injection Take?
The entire procedure typically takes between 45-minutes to an hour. It’s a small investment of time for the dividends paid in accelerated healing, restored musculoskeletal function, and
mitigation of pain.
How Long Do PRP Injections Last?
PRP treatment is not a short term fix. It does not mask pain, discomfort, or musculoskeletal malfunction. It effectively supports injury healing in a longterm sustainable manner. When combined with physiotherapy, ongoing exercise, and mindful nutrition, clients benefit from full injury repair and enhanced prevention of future injury to the same area.
Are PRP Injections Safe?
When injections are administered by a physician it is essentially a safe procedure. If an untrained professional attempts to administer the injection, there may be a risk of tissue or nerve damage. To avoid this risk, only see a physician specializing in platelet rich plasma. The reason that doctor-administered treatment is safe, is steeped in the fact that the PRP being injected is your own blood, which eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection.
*As with any medical injection, there is a very small potential risk of infection or pain at the injection site.
What Are Side Effects of PRP Injections?
Because the treatment uses your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction is extremely low. Potential side effects of PRP injections are generally mild and temporary, including slight pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site.
Are PRP Injections FDA Approved?
Platelet-Rich Plasma injections are not technically FDA-approved because PRP is derived from your own blood and are not classified as a drug. Therefore, it does not require the same FDA drug approval as synthetic medications. Meanwhile, PRP injections are recognized for their for place in experimental treatment for musculoskeletal conditions (backed by research) and are allowed state-wide in California, Los Angeles County included.
Is Platelet Rich Plasma Covered by Insurance?
Platelet-rich plasma treatment is not generally covered by insurance because most providers classify it as experimental or investigational, even though research points towards efficacy in musculoskeletal injury repair.
What Does Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment Cost?
View a detailed summary on treatment session costs, right here.
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Book a consultation today or visit our Downtown Los Angeles clinic.
Remote PRP injections are also available at your home or workplace throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.