Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Introduced at ColumbiaDoctors/NewYork-Presbyterian Imaging Midtown

A Treatment that Harnesses the Body’s Ability to Heal Itself

The Department of Radiology of Columbia University Irving Medical Center now offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment at its Midtown facility.

PRP treatment is performed under ultrasound guidance by board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists, who have expertise with minimally invasive pain management therapies.

“We are excited to offer PRP to our patients at the Midtown location as a part of our broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic treatment options,” said Tony Wong, MD, assistant professor of radiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and chief of the Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology.

PRP treatment is a local injection of platelets. The platelets are obtained from a patient’s own blood and have many growth factors which can help with healing. A PRP injection contains a very high concentration of platelets—between four and six times greater than what is found in whole blood.

It is a quick and simple outpatient procedure performed at Columbia Radiology's Midtown Manhattan location. Blood is drawn from the patient’s arm and placed in a specialized centrifuge that separates and concentrates the platelets. Using ultrasound guidance, the platelets are then injected directly into the injury site by one of our musculoskeletal radiologists.

This treatment takes advantage of the body’s own healing process. It has been used to treat many different conditions including injuries to tendons, ligaments and muscles as well as some cases of arthritis.