Platelet Rich Plasma Injection.
You can read a more official description here, but the short description is that they draw out your blood, spin in in a machine and make the plasma super concentrated with the parts that promote healing.
Super Blood
Okay, that’s just a name that I made up, but basically that’s what it is. The whole process takes about 40 minutes and I was able to walk out with just a couple of bandaids on my knee. Did it hurt? Well…. sort of. There was no numbing of the area except with a cold spray (I assume that is what the spray was for). I was calm enough to take a picture in the middle of the process. Doctor Jones said that it was the first time that someone had taken a picture during a PRP injection. All for journalism.
After effects…I could “feel” the needle’s trajectory for the rest of the night. It didn’t hurt….just was noticeable. Also my knee felt “full” like there was some pressure on in. Again, not painful, just odd. I had spent most of the morning moving my home and the new location is on the 3rd floor. No elevator. Lot’s of stairs. After the injection, I did stop my moving activities as I read that activity should be reduced for 24 hours. No more stairs and decided unpacking and resting would be best.
What are the downsides? Well, the PRP injection is not covered by insurance and is $600 out of pocket. That kinda hurts worse than the needle. It’s worth it to heal as quickly as possible and get back to being active again. Ok, back to running. I’m basically already doing most of what I’m wanting to do.
Other than that, Doctor Jones says that the knee feels good. Solid ACL feel. My next Ortho appointment is mid October. That’s 4 months out from the surgery and we will have the “when can I start running” conversation then.