Concentrated growth factors from your own blood, delivered directly to damaged spinal tissue under image guidance to trigger a targeted biological repair response.
PRP therapy concentrates your blood's own platelets (rich in growth factors, cytokines, and signaling proteins) and delivers them directly to the site of tissue damage. This isn't a drug or synthetic compound; it's a biological concentrate harvested from your own body and used to stimulate your tissue's innate repair mechanisms.
When you experience tissue injury such as a degenerating disc, damaged cartilage, or an inflamed ligament, your body initiates a healing cascade. Platelets are among the first cells on the scene, releasing growth factors (PDGF, VEGF, FGF, TGF-β) and cytokines that recruit additional healing cells and reduce inflammation. PRP amplifies this response by concentrating these healing factors and delivering them precisely where they're needed.
The PRP preparation process is straightforward. A small sample of your blood (about 50-60 mL) is drawn and placed in a centrifuge, which spins at specific speeds to separate blood components by density. Platelets and plasma rise to the top; red and white blood cells settle to the bottom. The platelet-rich layer is carefully extracted. This is your PRP.
Under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, Dr. Crane guides a small needle to the exact site of your tissue damage: whether a degenerative disc, facet joint, ligament insertion, or inflamed bursa. Once proper positioning is confirmed by imaging, the PRP is carefully injected. The concentrated platelets immediately begin releasing growth factors that activate local healing cells (fibroblasts, chondrocytes, stem cells) and modulate the inflammatory environment from chronic breakdown toward repair.
Over the following weeks, these growth factors stimulate collagen synthesis, reduce inflammatory cytokine production, increase blood flow and vascularization, and promote structural tissue remodeling. Most patients notice improvement beginning 4-6 weeks after injection, with continued gains through 12 weeks and beyond.
PRP is effective for multiple spinal pathologies because many spine injuries involve degenerative or inflammatory changes in tissues with limited blood supply. These tissues heal slowly on their own, making PRP's concentrated growth factors especially valuable.
Intradiscal PRP injection directly stimulates disc fibroblasts and any resident stem cells, promoting collagen synthesis, matrix stabilization, and rehydration. Over 8-12 weeks, many patients experience improved disc hydration on follow-up MRI and sustained pain relief.
PRP injected into arthritic facet joints reduces synovial inflammation and stimulates cartilage matrix repair. This is particularly effective in early-to-moderate osteoarthritis where cartilage is damaged but not completely denuded.
Chronic or acute ligament injuries (interspinous ligament injury, anterior/posterior longitudinal ligament strain) respond well to PRP. The growth factors in PRP stimulate ligament fibroblasts and promote collagen remodeling, restoring structural integrity.
Paraspinal muscle strains, chronic myofascial pain, and adjacent tendon pathology all benefit from PRP injection. By reducing inflammatory signaling and promoting muscle fiber and collagen repair, PRP addresses both acute injury and chronic degeneration.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Crane will review your history, examine you, and assess your imaging to determine whether PRP is appropriate for your specific pathology. If you lack recent imaging, he'll order MRI or ultrasound to guide treatment planning and confirm the exact location of tissue damage. Once you've decided to proceed, we'll schedule your PRP preparation and injection on the same day.
On treatment day, you'll arrive fasting (no food or drink after midnight). A small blood sample is drawn and processed in our centrifuge to create the PRP concentrate. While your blood is being processed, you'll rest and prepare for injection. Once your PRP is ready, you'll receive mild sedation and local anesthesia. Using real-time imaging, Dr. Crane guides the needle to the target tissue and carefully injects the PRP. The entire in-office procedure takes 30-45 minutes. You'll rest briefly and are typically discharged the same day with clear post-procedure instructions.
Because PRP is derived from your own blood, it carries minimal risk of allergic reaction or immunological rejection. The most common post-injection response is mild soreness or inflammation at the injection site for 24-72 hours. This is expected and typically managed with rest and ice. Some patients experience transient increased pain or discomfort for a few days as the healing response activates. Serious complications (infection, bleeding, nerve injury) are rare when injection is performed by an experienced physician using image guidance.
PRP activates a healing cascade, not an acute anti-inflammatory response. Most patients begin noticing improvement at 4-6 weeks post-injection, with continued gains through 8-12 weeks. Some patients experience immediate pain relief from the local anesthetic and injection technique, but the true biological benefit emerges over weeks as growth factors stimulate tissue repair. Patience is important. PRP works by promoting healing, which takes time, but typically results in more durable improvement than temporary symptom suppression.
Many patients achieve meaningful improvement with a single injection. However, depending on the extent of tissue damage, your initial response, and symptom patterns, a second injection 4-6 weeks later may enhance results. Dr. Crane will assess your progress at 6-8 weeks post-treatment and discuss whether additional therapy is beneficial. The goal is maximum benefit with minimum procedures: some patients need only one injection, while others benefit from a two-injection protocol.
Most insurance plans do not currently cover PRP injections, as the therapy is considered emerging or investigational by many insurers. However, we work with patients to explore all options and provide transparent cost estimates before treatment. Some plans may cover specific procedures under certain conditions. We can discuss self-pay options, financing, and ways to maximize any available insurance benefits during your consultation.
PRP therapy leverages your body's own healing biology. Let's discuss whether this approach is right for your specific tissue damage.