Mercy Surgeon Explains How PRP Blood Treatment Is Used to Treat Shoulder Injuries

When it comes to shoulder injuries, there are a variety of treatment options, including a biologic treatment growing in popularity known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

PRP draws a patient’s blood as if they were donating it. But then, the treatment spins the blood and isolates the platelet-rich plasma to be injected back into the patient's shoulder. 

According to Dr. Gregory Gasbarro, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy, PRP is another option for patients besides medicine, physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Platelets have growth factors and good elements that can help promote healing and reduce inflammation. 

Dr. Gasbarro explained the types of shoulder issues for which he uses PRP most frequently: “It’s rotator cuff, tendinopathy, or tendonitis, so wear-and-tear types of injuries to the shoulder. We also use it during surgery for rotator cuff repairs in certain patients to enhance the biology at the repair sites to give patients a better chance for things to heal.”

Following the injection, patients can largely return to normal routines, but Dr. Gasbarro recommends skipping heavy exercise or strenuous activity.

“The other reason to use it is PRP has now been shown to modify inflammation [related to] early arthritis,” Dr. Gasbarro said. “There are some studies that suggest that it may be beneficial for reducing inflammation and be longer-lasting than a cortisone injection might be.”

PRP is usually used with physical therapy and it takes about six to eight weeks to determine if it’s beneficial to the patient.

Dr. Gasbarro noted that he typically checks in with his patients two weeks after the injection.

View Mercy orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro’s interview regarding the use of biologics in shoulder surgery.