Chronic joint or muscle pain can make everyday activities increasingly difficult. When rest, medication, or other conservative treatments aren't providing enough relief, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may offer another option.
Among our nonsurgical treatment specialties at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, is PRP injection therapy for chronic pain and musculoskeletal injuries. This regenerative treatment harnesses components of your own blood to support the body's natural healing processes.
Jose De La Torre, MD, offers PRP therapy to promote healing in damaged joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, helping patients reduce pain and regain mobility.
The PRP we use in treatment is made from a sample of your own blood. After drawing the blood, we place it in a centrifuge, which separates and concentrates the platelets. Dr. De La Torre injects the resulting platelet-rich plasma directly into the injured or painful tissue.
Platelets are responsible for clotting blood, but they also contain growth factors involved in tissue repair.
When concentrated platelets are delivered to injured tissue, these growth factors stimulate your body's healing response and increase cell regeneration efficiency.
PRP therapy also promotes collagen production and the development of new blood vessels. As damaged tissues repair themselves, inflammation and pain can decrease while your mobility improves.
PRP therapy may be useful for several conditions involving damaged or degenerating musculoskeletal tissues. Dr. De La Torre may recommend PRP as part of your treatment plan for:
PRP can be an effective treatment option when chronic pain hasn't improved sufficiently with oral medications or other conservative treatments, and you aren’t ready for or don’t qualify for surgery.
One of PRP therapy's distinguishing features is that the PRP used in treatment comes from your own blood. Because PRP is autologous, meaning it comes from your body, there's no risk of an allergic reaction.
PRP is also minimally invasive. Dr. De La Torre uses image-guided technology (fluoroscopy) when appropriate to visualize the treatment area and precisely deliver the injection to damaged tissue.
Most people have minimal downtime after PRP injections. You will need to take it easy for a few days while the treated area begins healing. You may experience temporary soreness, bruising, redness, or swelling at the injection site — symptoms which resolve within a few days.
PRP isn't appropriate for everyone. Certain blood disorders, infections, anemia, cancer, or abnormal platelet function can affect your eligibility. A comprehensive evaluation helps Dr. De La Torre determine whether the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
PRP doesn't mask pain. Instead, the goal of treatment is to encourage tissue repair, which means results aren't immediate.
New cells need time to develop, and damaged tissues need time to heal. Improvements typically develop gradually during the weeks following treatment, and healing may continue for several months.
Depending on your condition, Dr. De La Torre may also recommend physical therapy, at-home exercises, or other treatments to strengthen the affected area and support your recovery.
You don't necessarily have to rely on medication or live with persistent joint and muscle pain. PRP therapy offers a minimally invasive way to work with your body's own healing processes and address damaged tissues at the source.
Call our team at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine to schedule an evaluation if chronic pain interferes with your mobility or quality of life. You can also book your consultation with Dr. De La Torre online.
