PRP Injection St Ives Platelet Rich Plasma North Shore
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection therapy at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives. Image-guided, precise, effective. Serving the North Shore — Turramurra, Pymble, Gordon.
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Prepared and Why It Aids Healing
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrated preparation derived from your own blood — making it a completely natural, autologous treatment that works with your body’s own healing biology.
How PRP is prepared:
1. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm — the same as a routine blood test.
2. The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speed, which separates the blood components by density.
3. The platelet-rich layer is extracted — this concentrated plasma contains a significantly higher platelet concentration than normal blood.
4. The PRP is prepared for injection — typically performed under CT or ultrasound guidance at the same appointment.
Why platelets aid healing:
– Platelets are the body’s primary healing cells — they release a range of growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, cell recruitment, and new blood vessel formation.
– In conditions like tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, the tissue’s natural healing response is impaired or insufficient.
– Delivering a concentrated dose of platelets directly to the site of injury provides a powerful, targeted stimulus for the healing process.
At Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives, PRP is prepared using a validated protocol and injected under real-time CT or ultrasound guidance for precise delivery to the target area.
Image-Guided PRP: Why Precision Matters
The precision of delivery is one of the most important determinants of PRP injection success — and CT and ultrasound guidance is the gold standard for ensuring the PRP reaches exactly the right location.
Why image guidance matters:
– Without guidance, injections are delivered based on surface anatomy landmarks — studies consistently show that unguided injections miss their target in a significant proportion of cases, even in experienced hands.
– CT or Ultrasound guidance allows the radiologist to watch the needle in real time as it is advanced to the target structure — whether that is a joint, tendon, or bursa.
– Confirmation of accurate needle placement before injecting means the PRP is delivered to where it is needed most — maximising the therapeutic effect.
– Real-time visualisation also minimises the risk of inadvertently injecting into adjacent structures.
At Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives, all PRP injections are performed under direct ultrasound guidance by our specialist team — providing the precision that gives your PRP treatment the best possible chance of a good outcome.
What Conditions Can PRP Treat?
PRP injection therapy is supported by a growing body of clinical evidence and is used for a range of musculoskeletal conditions where the natural healing response is insufficient.
Conditions commonly treated with PRP at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives:
– Knee osteoarthritis — particularly mild to moderate disease where joint function improvement and pain reduction are goals
– Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylopathy) — chronic tendon degeneration at the outside of the elbow
– Achilles tendinopathy — degeneration of the Achilles tendon causing ongoing heel and lower leg pain
– Rotator cuff tendinopathy — degeneration of the shoulder tendons not requiring surgical repair
– Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) — degeneration of the kneecap tendon in athletes
– Plantar fasciitis — persistent heel pain from inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia
– Hip osteoarthritis — as an adjunct to other management
– Other tendon and joint conditions — as recommended by your GP or sports physician
Is PRP Covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance?
Understanding the cost and coverage of PRP injection therapy helps you plan appropriately before your appointment.
Medicare:
– PRP injections are not currently covered by Medicare in Australia for most musculoskeletal indications. The image guidance (CT or ultrasound) component may attract a Medicare rebate depending on your clinical referral — please confirm with our team when booking.
Private health insurance:
– Some private health insurance policies provide a benefit for PRP injections — coverage varies significantly between funds and policy levels. Contact your health fund before your appointment to check whether your policy includes a benefit for PRP.
Out-of-pocket costs:
– Our team at Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives will provide clear information about fees when you book. Please call (02) 9129 6999 to discuss costs and confirm what is included in your appointment.
A referral from your GP or sports physician is recommended, as this provides important clinical context and may support any insurance claim.
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Have a question or ready to book? Our friendly team is here to help with appointments, referrals and any imaging enquiries you may have.
Working Hours
Monday - Wednesday, Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday - 08:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday - 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM