OUR SERVICES
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Natural Regeneration for Knee Pain
If chronic knee pain is keeping you from staying active—whether due to osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or long-term wear and tear—you don’t necessarily need surgery to find relief. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting-edge regenerative medicine procedure that uses your body’s own natural healing agents to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. At New South Medical, we provide advanced PRP treatments designed to help patients in Marietta and the greater Atlanta area heal from the inside out, avoiding the risks and downtime associated with traditional surgery.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrated preparation of your own blood. Your blood contains platelets, which are rich in "growth factors"—the proteins responsible for healing injuries, repairing cartilage, and stimulating tissue regeneration. By drawing a small amount of your blood and using a centrifuge to isolate and concentrate these platelets, we create a potent serum that, when injected into the knee, kickstarts your body’s natural repair response. Unlike cortisone shots, which only mask symptoms, PRP aims to actually improve the health of the joint.
Conditions We Treat
We utilize PRP therapy to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, focusing on stimulating natural tissue repair for:
Knee Osteoarthritis:
Reducing joint inflammation and slowing the degradation of cartilage.
Meniscus Tears:
Supporting the healing of small tears and stabilizing the knee joint.
Ligament Sprains & Strains:
Improving the healing time for ACL, MCL, or LCL injuries.
Chronic Tendonitis:
Addressing "jumper’s knee" (patellar tendonitis) and other chronic overuse injuries.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Safety, comfort, and precision are our top priorities. The entire process is performed in our office and typically takes between 45 to 60 minutes.
Blood Draw: We begin by drawing a small, simple sample of your blood, similar to a routine lab test.
Concentration: Your blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge that spins at high speeds to separate the concentrated platelets from the red blood cells.
The Injection: Using live ultrasound or X-ray guidance, our specialists inject the concentrated PRP serum directly into the damaged area of the knee. This precise placement ensures the growth factors are delivered exactly where they are needed most.
Recovery: You can return home immediately after the procedure. Because this is a natural healing process, you will not have the same restrictions as you would after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does PRP differ from a cortisone shot?
Cortisone (steroid) injections are anti-inflammatory and work by “turning off” the immune system’s response to pain, often providing temporary relief. PRP is regenerative—it recruits your body’s own growth factors to heal the tissue and improve the joint environment over time.
How soon will I feel relief?
Because PRP works by stimulating biological tissue repair, relief is often gradual rather than immediate. Many patients begin to notice significant improvement in pain and mobility within 3 to 6 weeks, with results continuing to improve over several months.
Is the procedure painful?
The blood draw is routine, and the injection is performed with local anesthesia to numb the skin. Some patients report mild soreness in the knee for a day or two following the procedure as the healing process begins.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of treatments depends on the severity of your knee condition. Some patients achieve their goals with a single injection, while others may require a series of 2 or 3 sessions to achieve optimal, long-lasting results. We will tailor a plan specifically for your needs.