Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Patient Education Guide
Not all PRP is created equal
PRP quality is not just about the machine used, it is the sum of every decision made before, during, and after the injection. Dr. Jazayeri’s protocol addresses each of these variables systematically, because the difference between ordinary PRP and optimized PRP can mean the difference between a modest result and a meaningful, lasting one.
PRP Overview
PRP harnesses your body’s own concentrated healing factors to repair damaged tendons, joints, and ligaments, without surgery. It is among the most extensively researched regenerative treatments in orthopedics today, and the quality of results depends heavily on how it is prepared and delivered.
The PRP Quality Chain — Every Step Matters
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1. Pre-procedure optimization
Nutritional status, BCAA/XR supplementation, pre-exercise conditioning
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2. Blood draw technique & volume
Needle gauge, anticoagulant ratio, draw volume — all affect platelet yield
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3. Centrifuge technology
Arthrex Angel System with real-time optical sensing for exact platelet targeting
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4. Precision delivery
Ultrasound-guided injection directly into the pathology
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5. Post-injection protocol
Heat not ice, NSAID avoidance, BCAA/XR continuation, structured PT program
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Total time from draw to injection
<30 min
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Platelet concentration vs. normal blood
5–7×
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Level 1 studies for knee OA alone
30+
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Autologous — from your own body
100%
Growth Factors in PRP
These proteins are stored inside platelets and released at the injection site to drive tissue repair.
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PDGF
Platelet Derived Growth Factor, cell recruitment & proliferation
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TGF-β
Transforming Growth Factor Beta, tissue remodeling & repair
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VEGF
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, new blood vessel formation
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IGF-1/2
Insulin-like Growth Factors, cell survival & growth
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EGF
Epidermal Growth Factor, tissue regeneration
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FGF
Fibroblast Growth Factor, collagen synthesis
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IL-8
Interleukin-8, healing signal coordination
The PRP Process — Step by Step
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1. Pre-procedure optimization
Following Dr. Jazayeri’s protocol, you will have completed a 20-minute vigorous exercise session and taken your BCAA/XR supplement 90–120 minutes before arrival — priming your platelets to be more numerous and biologically active before the blood is even drawn.
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2. Blood Draw
A small amount of blood, similar to a routine lab test, is drawn from your arm. The draw volume, needle gauge, and anticoagulant ratio are all controlled to preserve platelet integrity before centrifugation.
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3. Centrifugation with the Arthrex Angel System
The blood is processed in the Arthrex Angel System — the most advanced PRP centrifuge available. Three optical sensors read the spinning blood in real time, detecting the precise boundary between cell layers and automatically stopping collection at the exact platelet concentration target. This precision is not possible with standard bedside centrifuges operating on fixed timing alone.
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Video: Cellular components & growth factor content of Angel cPRP
Click here to watch -
Article: Angel cPRP System — customized cellular concentrations (PDF)
Click here to read the paper -
Video: Arthrex Angel System overview
Click here to watch
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4. Ultrasound-guided injection
PRP is injected using real-time ultrasound imaging, not a blind injection guided by surface landmarks. The needle tip is visible on screen throughout the procedure, ensuring PRP is deposited exactly where the pathology exists, not in nearby tissue.
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5. Post-injection protocol — heat, not ice
Apply a warm compress or heating pad — not ice. Heat promotes vasodilation, increasing blood flow to the treated site and delivering the oxygen and nutrients that activated platelets need. Ice causes vasoconstriction, reduces local blood flow, and dampens the inflammatory healing cascade that PRP is specifically designed to harness. Inflammation here is not the problem, it is the mechanism of healing.
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6. Recovery, XR supplementation & physical therapy
Continued BCAA/XR supplementation supports the collagen synthesis phase of healing. A structured PT program is prescribed at the appropriate time to guide tissue remodeling and ensure new collagen forms in the correct load-bearing orientation.
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Ice — avoid
Causes vasoconstriction. Reduces blood flow. Suppresses the inflammatory cascade PRP depends on for healing.
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Warm compress — use this
Promotes vasodilation. Increases local blood flow. Supports oxygen and nutrient delivery. Works with PRP's biology, not against it.
Conditions We Treat with PRP
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Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
High-grade partial and intrasubstance tears that haven’t responded to conservative care.
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Knee Osteoarthritis
30+ Level 1 trials show PRP superior to steroid and hyaluronic acid injections.
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Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis that has failed conservative care. PRP shows superior long-term results.
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Other Conditions
Achilles tendinopathy, shoulder OA, and many more.
After Your PRP Injection
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What to do
Apply a warm compress for comfort and blood flow. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain. Rest from strenuous activity for 1 week. Continue BCAA/XR as directed. Follow your PT program when cleared by Dr. Jazayeri.
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What to avoid
Ice — constricts blood flow and suppresses the healing response PRP depends on. NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve) for at least 2 weeks. No strenuous sports for 1 week.
*IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS WITH THE MEDICATIONS or QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE during clinic hours at 855-892-0919 or the After-hours nurse advice at 1-888-576-6225.