PRP Injections Portland, OR

Tylenol is generally allowed for pain relief. Low-dose opioid medications may be prescribed for certain injections (typically only needed for 2-3 days following treatment). Anti-inflammatory and steroid medications are not allowed (rare exceptions) as these interfere with a normal inflammatory and healing response.

This depends on the type of injury, location, and how long it has been since onset. As a general rule, it takes 2-3 months for the initial stages of regeneration and repair to occur. At this point, patients typically see and feel results. Repair processes can continue for many months after injections. For osteoarthritis, pain reduction can actually occur much more quickly, within a couple of weeks. And when applied for newer (recent/acute) injuries, PRP may actually speed up healing time.

Again, this varies depending on the condition. Some treatments allow for return to baseline activities within 1 week; others require slow progression and therapeutic exercises over 2-3 months. Remember, we are typically trying to stimulate an injury to heal that isn’t already healing on its own, which often requires changing or resting the activity that may be preventing full recovery in the first place. But that doesn’t mean sitting still! Physical therapy and/or targeted exercises/movements are very helpful during this process.

Yes! For certain conditions, we provide exercises in our office. For others, we have a list of quality PTs we refer to for concurrent treatment.

Aside from a small amount of local anesthetic, no other medications are used or necessary. PRP is a completely natural procedure involving the patient’s own blood, which is centrifuged, separated, and then reinjected.

Typically, 2-3 injections are needed at 4-6 week intervals, but some conditions may require only 1 treatment. A follow-up is typically done at 3 weeks to assess progress and determine timing and need for subsequent injections.

PRP is generally very safe and well tolerated with most medications or other medical conditions. Platelet or bleeding disorders, patients on immunosuppressive medications, active cancer, or infection around the site to be treated are all situations when PRP injections are generally not used. Anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin/coumadin) interfere with platelet function and are relatively contraindicated. For certain patients, discontinuing these medications for a short time before and after treatment, with the prescribing physician’s knowledge and consent, may be an option.

PRP is derived from your own body, posing little danger of allergy, hypersensitivity, or foreign-body reactions. The risk of infection at the injection site is further reduced by the presence of white blood cells (components of your immune system) in the PRP. We use a clean technique throughout the process to minimize exposure to microbes (infectious agents).

While our office is located in SE Portland, Oregon, many of our patients travel from the greater Portland area, including Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, and Oregon City, for in-office visits and procedures. We also offer virtual office visits, which allow us to provide care to anyone seeking care in Oregon, except for procedures, which must be performed in-office.