PRP

Andrew B Richardson, MD Our Services PRP

Andrew B Richardson, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & Knee and Hip Replacement Specialist located in Honolulu, HI & Waipahu, HI

If you suffer from pain or stiff joints and other treatments haven't helped, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections could be an option for you. Skilled orthopedic surgeon Andrew B. Richardson, MD, offers PRP therapy for a variety of conditions for men and women in Honolulu, Waipio, and Kahului, Hawaii. To find out if PRP is right for you, call your nearest office or book an appointment online today.

PRP Q & A

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated solution of platelets that may facilitate healing when Dr. Richardson injects it into an area of injured or damaged tissue. 

Platelets are small particles in your blood that are best-known for their role in forming clots. However, platelets also carry hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which are an important part of your body’s healing process. 

PRP contains a higher concentration of platelets, and therefore a higher concentration of growth factors than normal blood. PRP can be 5-10 times richer in growth factors than typical blood.  

How does PRP work?

PRP comes from your own blood, so there’s minimal risk of adverse side effects. To obtain PRP, Dr. Richardson or a member of his team takes a small sample of blood, usually from your arm. They process the blood in a centrifuge, which isolates PRP.

Then, Dr. Richardson injects the PRP into your area of injury. He may use an imaging system, such as an ultrasound, to pinpoint the precise location for the injection. He may also provide a topical or local anesthetic to numb the area first. 

The entire process takes less than an hour and occurs right in their state-of-the-art facility. After PRP treatment, many people can return to regular activities the same day. Dr. Richardson lets you know what to expect from recovery depending on your specific procedure and condition. 

What conditions can PRP treat?

Dr. Richardson may recommend PRP therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy. You may be a candidate for PRP injections if you have one of the following conditions.

  • Knee pain from an injury or condition such as arthritis
  • Acute injuries such as pulled hamstrings or knee sprains
  • Chronic tendon injuries such as Achilles tendonitis or tennis elbow

He may also recommend PRP injections to promote healing after a surgical procedure, such as rotator cuff repair or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) repair. 

PRP isn’t right for everyone, but in some cases, this treatment can help you avoid surgery. Dr. Richardson may recommend PRP along with other treatments, such as physical therapy. 

To learn more about PRP, call Andrew B. Richardson, MD, or book an appointment online today.

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