Our PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections have leveled up with the introduction of the SuperShot® to our practice. The SuperShot allows the exosomes in blood to be derived along with the PRP.
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles: small, fluid-filled sacs that exist outside of the body’s cells. These tiny structures are secreted by most cells. They facilitate important functions like transferring DNA, RNA, and proteins. By altering cell functions, exosomes help in processes like tissue repair, healing, neural communication, and vascularization. They make a perfect companion to the healing abilities of PRP.
The SuperShot provides a more comprehensive treatment for tissue injuries because it adds hundreds more growth factors to the injection, as well as messenger RNA to communicate with cells. It may heal injuries- even advanced ones- better than standard PRP injections alone. The combination of PRP and exosomes provides faster relief, faster return to activity, and decreased swelling at the injection site.
The process for the SuperShot is the same as the traditional PRP injection. The patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the PRP and exosomes before being injected into the treatment site. A candidate for PRP injections may also be suited to SuperShot injections for various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Some of the indications may be:
- Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, etc.)
- Small meniscus tears
- Knee sprains (ACL, LCL, MCL)
- Partial tears of tendons (hamstring, tibialis posterior, Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, etc.)
- Chronic tendinopathy (epicondylitis, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, plantar fasciitis)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
