Growth factors or PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections, which are growth factors taken from your own blood, may be offered to you in certain cases.
The goal of the growth factor or PRP technique is to promote healing of a tendon or ligament after repair surgery, or cartilage lesions following surgery on an arthritic joint, for example.
PRP is obtained after performing a venous blood draw, which is then centrifuged in order to isolate a fraction of the serum in which the platelets contained in your blood are concentrated.
When these platelets come into contact with osteochondral joint lesions or ligament and tendon injuries, they release powerful proteins involved in biological tissue healing.
Dr. Roure may suggest the use of this technique if it could be beneficial in order to optimize surgical outcomes, particularly in cases of advanced tendon, ligament, or osteochondral lesions.
This technique may also be proposed in certain indications outside of a surgical procedure. In this case, Dr. Roure will refer you to sports medicine physicians specialized in performing this type of injection.