PRP is completed in 4 steps:

A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient

The practitioner places the blood into a centrifuge and spins the blood at a very rapid rate to separate the platelets from the other components of the blood. The process takes about 10 minutes.

A technologist takes the separated plasma and prepares it for injection into the affected area.

Your doctor will then inject the PRP into the area. When platelet-rich plasma is activated it releases at least eight essential growth factors and signaling proteins stimulating the growth of healthy tissue and cells.

Tendon Injuries

Tendons are tough, thick bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. They are usually slow to heal after injury. PRP is used to treat chronic tendon problems, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and jumper’s knee, or pain in the patellar tendon in the knee. Can also be used post-surgery to repair tendons and ligaments.

Acute Injuries

PRP injections are used to treat acute sports injuries, such as pulled hamstring muscles or knee sprains.

Osteoarthritis

PRP injections are used for osteoarthritis in the knees to stimulate growth in injured tissues.

Benefits in injuries and osteoarthritis can be seen in 2-4 weeks. Because PRP injections are intended to promote healing or growth, you may not notice an immediate difference after receiving the injections. Strength and endurance may improve for up to 6-9 months. Sometimes, more than one treatment of PRP may be needed.

application site, but this will quickly resolve.

The blood draw takes just a couple of minutes, followed immediately by a 10-minute centrifugation. The time involved in the application varies based on which procedure is being performed

PRP treatments can differ from patient to patient. For proper assessment, pre and post protocol and a personal treatment regime, a complimentary consultation done by one of our team is advisable.

Viscosupplementation is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic condition in which the structure of the joints deteriorates. OA may be present at the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle or other joint. There may be inflammation, tenderness, pain and swelling which can result in reduced mobility. Viscosupplementation helps to restore the cushioning effect of HA (Hyaluronic Acid) on joints where the protective substance has worn thin and left bones and other structures exposed and rubbing against each other.

Viscosupplementation is a proven treatment for the pain, stiffness and loss of mobility often associated with OA and is generally considered as a treatment option when other, non-invasive procedures have failed to provide significant relief.

Adding HA back into damaged joints can help to restore the cushioning function. As the cartilage degenerates in the progression of OA, it produces waste products that can cause pain in the area. Viscosupplementation can help to ease the pain by flushing out those often acidic by-products. HA is also an antioxidant, a group of substances with the proven ability to help prevent cellular destruction by free radicals.

After a consultation with one of our physicians you will be treated with an injection into the affected joint. You may feel the benefits in various ways, such as:

Improved mobility as the shock absorption and lubrication functions are restored

Reduced pain due to reduced friction at the joint

As a natural substance, it breaks down in the body due to natural processes. For this reason, repetitive treatments are often required. For most patients the benefit of treatment will last for 6-9 months.

nSTRIDE

What is nSTRIDE?

nSTRIDE is a new treatment for osteoarthritis of the joints, particularly in the knee. It is known as an ‘autologous’ protein injection, meaning it contains proteins that have been taken from your own body. nSTRIDE involves taking a blood sample from your arm and processing the blood to separate out a protein-rich liquid. This liquid is then injected back into your knee joint to help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

How does nSTRIDE work?

In a healthy knee, cartilage cells usually cushion and lubricate the joint, allowing it to move freely. In osteoarthritis, there is an excess of inflammatory proteins within the joint and this leads to the destruction of these cartilage cells. This results in friction, causing pain and stiffness.

nSTRIDE involves using anti-inflammatory proteins to prevent the breakdown of cartilage cells, as well as growth factors that stimulate cartilage cell regrowth. The injection can help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and may even reverse its effects in some cases. The aim is to improve the function in your knee joint, allowing you to regain your mobility.

What Are The Benefits Over Surgery Or PRP Therapy?

nSTRIDE is an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis and it has a number of benefits over surgery. nSTRIDE is a much simpler procedure and can be performed in your doctor’s office with a single injection in your knee. You will be able to walk out on the same day and will not need to be admitted to hospital. It also carries fewer risks compared with surgery, as you will not need an anaesthetic, and you are less likely to get an infection in your joint. Additionally, for people suffering from moderate arthritis, keyhole surgery is often not very effective so nSTRIDE may be a better option. In severe cases of arthritis, however, nSTRIDE is not a substitute for a total knee replacement.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a similar treatment that involves injecting your own platelets, taken from a blood sample, into the knee joint. Like nSTRIDE, it works by using growth factors to promote cartilage healing, but it does not include anti-inflammatory proteins. nSTRIDE has some key differences compared to PRP. It requires a shorter rest period of 2 weeks rather than 4 weeks, and it is a one-off injection, whereas PRP can require up to three injections.

What To Expect During The Procedure

On the day, it will take around 20-30 minutes to complete the whole procedure, from taking a sample of your blood to injecting the solution. The injection itself will be roughly 3ml of oil-like fluid and it is usually not too uncomfortable.

Recovery Period

It is normal to experience some knee pain and stiffness for up to 2 days after your nSTRIDE injection. You may also notice some bruising around your knee. To gain the most benefit, you should try to minimise your activity for 14 days after the injection. Following treatment, around 85% of people will see an improvement in their symptoms and you can expect your pain to be reduced after about 1 week.

There is, unfortunately, no cure for osteoarthritis, so your symptoms may return eventually. It is hoped that successful nSTRIDE treatment will alleviate pain and stiffness, and improve your knee mobility for at least 12-24 months.