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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections in Cardiff, Carmarthen, Bridgend, Newport and Porthcawl. Our PRP injections are administered by qualified and experienced physiotherapist and are ultrasound guided to improve the precision and effectiveness of the treatment.
*You will only be charged the cost of the Initial Injection Consultation at the time of booking. Due to the preparation required before administering PRP injections, it will not be possible for our specialist physiotherapist to administer the PRP injection at your initial injection consultation unless you have had prior assessment / communication. A course of 3 PRP Injections is recommended for large joints (Hip, Knee and Ankle). It is recommended that the injections performed 1-2 weeks apart. 1 PRP Injection is recommended for smaller Joints, tendons, muscles and ligaments. It is possible to have 2 regions injected in the same consultation. It is very common to have both knees injected at the same time.
It has most commonly been used in treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Clinical studies have reported pain relief and improved function for over a year in patients who are on the waiting list for total knee replacement. Sports injuries as well as degenerative joint or tendon conditions can be successfully treated with PRP. It has been used by top athletes including Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal to speed up their recovery following injury.
A sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm, by one of our experienced practice nurses. We use the Arthrex double-syringe system to facilitate safe and rapid preparation of PRP. The blood sample is then placed in a machine called a centrifuge and spun at high speed to separate the various constituents of blood. The layer containing the plasma and platelets is isolated and withdrawn. The PRP is then accurately injected into the desired region, using ultrasound guidance by our specialist physiotherapist Gareth Tremain.
Platelets consist of special proteins called growth factors and cytokines, which help to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. PRP consists of approximately 5 times the concentration of growth factors and cytokines found in normal blood. Thus, PRP provides an environment conducive to improving pain and inflammation in joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Extensive research has shown that PRP is highly effective in the treatment of Mild to Moderate (Grade I-III) Knee Osteoarthritis. The research consistently shows that a course of 3 PRP injections often provides pain relief for 1 year or more.
The research is very promising for the use of PRP in the treatment of other arthritic joints including ankle, hip and thumb.
A wide range of studies have investigated the effect of PRP injections in the treatment of chronic tendon problems, such as patellar tendinopathy (jumper/runner's knee), lateral hip tendinopathy/trochanteric bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and plantarfasciitis. The results of these studies are generally very promising. As repeated cortisone injections are thought to have a negative long-term effect and the strength of tendons, PRP should be considered as an alternative treatment, especially if a partial tear of the tendon is suspected.
Our specialist physiotherapist Gareth Tremain completed a Masters degree qualifications in 'Joint & Soft Tissue Injections' at Keele University in 2013 and has undertaken extensive training with specialist doctors, sonographers and consultant physiotherapists to hone his skills in Ultrasound-Guided Injections. He offers a range of Ultrasound-Guided Injections, including Cortisone, Hyaluronic Acid (Ostenil Plus & Durolane), Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Shoulder Hydrodilitation, Shoulder Barbotage and High-volume injections to treat a wide range of persistent injuries and chronic pain. Gareth will also advise you regarding the most appropriate exercise programme to complement your injection.
PRP therapy involves extracting a small amount of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the PRP directly into the affected area. Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. This treatment is ideal for injuries involving tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, as it accelerates the healing process by promoting cellular regeneration and reducing inflammation.
The number of PRP injections used in the research varies. Most of the research demonstrating the most positive outcome from PRP injections involves multiple injections. Therefore, we recommend a course of 2 - 3 injections depending on the condition.
Most patient will have no side effects following a PRP injection. The only common side effect is some soreness around the injection site. This may last a few days. Other potential side effects are extremely rare (but will be discussed with patients before proceeding with injections).
Unfortunately, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin can reduce the benefit of PRP due to their effect on platelet activation. Therefore, it is suggested that only patients who are able to stop using these medications for 1 weeks prior and 4 weeks after a course of PRP should proceed with the injections.
No. If you find the course of injections successful, you can repeat them as often as you require. Some patients opt to have PRP injections once a year to maintain the reduction and improved function.
Following an extensive review of the available literature, we believe that PRP injections are an exciting treatment option for patients with moderate knee arthritis. A course of PRP injections is more expensive than cortisone injections. However, the duration of pain relief is likely to be much greater (potentially 2-3 times as long) and there are no reported negative effects from repeat injections.
We believe that they should be considered as a possible treatment option in other joint and tendon injuries/conditions that are not responding to more conservative measures. If you are considering having a PRP Injection, please call or email our specialist physiotherapist Gareth Tremain, and he will be happy to give you his opinion on whether it is the most appropriate treatment for you. If it is not, he will suggest the most evidence-based alternative. Please note, that PRP Injections are only available at our Cardiff Gate Clinic.
The PRP injection procedure is minimally invasive, and patients typically experience mild discomfort during the injection. Most patients find the procedure tolerable, and that discomfort subsides quickly. The post-injection pain typically lasts longer for tendon injections.
While some patients begin to experience relief from pain within a few days of the first injection, it is more common for it to take several weeks following a course of PRP injections for significant improvement to be experienced.
We want to ensure that all of our patients receive the information they need to make an informed decision about their treatment. If you have any questions or if you require assistance with anything, please let us know.
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