Platelet-rich plasma injection offering new option for treatment of old injuries

ALBANY — For the stubborn injuries that don’t appear to be healing, a relatively new technique is available that can help start the healing process.

#The procedure is known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. It is performed by the doctor obtaining about two teaspoons of blood from a patient’s arm. The blood is spun into a centrifuge in order to separate the platelets.

#After any scar tissue from the injury is broken up, the cells are injected into the affected area with the hope the body’s own healing processes will repair something that was previously unable to heal completely.

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton receives PRP injection to aid hamstring.

ARLINGTON – Josh Hamilton received an injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Thursday to help accelerate the healing of his strained left hamstring.

Hamilton, who is expected to miss a month with a Grade 2 strain, is not expected to swing a bat for the next week in order.

Texas Rangers right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) and left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) are pictured during the Boston Red Sox vs. the Texas Rangers major league baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

“It’s frustrating, but you just push yourself forward and lack at what is in front of you, not in the past,” Hamilton said. “I’m just going to do the same things that I did the first time around.”