Intro to Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous therapy that has gained popularity in recent years as a potential treatment for various conditions, ranging from sports injuries to hair loss.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, is a substance derived from your own blood that contains a higher concentration of platelets than normal. Platelets are small cell fragments found in blood that play a crucial role in clotting and wound healing. PRP therapy involves extracting a small amount of your blood, processing it to isolate the platelets, and then returning the concentrated platelets back into the body at the point of care.

How is PRP prepared?

The process of preparing PRP begins with a blood draw, usually from your arm. The collected blood is then placed into a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speeds to separate its components. Through this process, the platelets are concentrated and separated from other blood cells. Once the platelets are isolated, they are mixed with a small amount of plasma, creating the PRP solution ready for use.

What are the potential applications of PRP?

While PRP therapy has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic benefits, it's important to note that the FDA strictly regulates the claims that can be made about its effectiveness.

However, PRP has been used in various medical fields, including:

Orthopedics: PRP injections are commonly used to address joint injuries¹, such as tendonitis², and osteoarthritis³.

Dermatology: PRP is sometimes used in cosmetic procedures to promote hair growth⁴, improve skin texture^5,6, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles⁷.

Sports Medicine: Athletes often turn to PRP therapy to accelerate the healing process of sports-related injuries, such as muscle strains and tendon tears².

PRP offers a promising avenue for treating various medical conditions, leveraging the body's natural healing processes. While its potential benefits are widely recognized, it's crucial to approach PRP treatment with caution and under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner.

1. Kon et al, Platelet-rich plasma: intra-articular knee injections produced favorable results on degenerative cartilage lesions; Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc DOI10.1007/s00167-009-0940-8, April 2009

2. Mishra, Treatment of Tendon and Muscle using Platelet-Rich Plasma; 2009

3. Filardo/Kon et al: Platelet-rich plasma intra-articular knee injections for the treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions and osteoarthritis, Feb. 2010

4. Li et al. Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Potential Therapeautic Tool for Promoting Hair Growth; American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. 2012;1040-1046.

5. Shane et al. Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix with Facial Collagen Genesis and Epidermal Regeneration. (Abstract).

6. Sclafani et al. Induction of Dermal Collagenesis, Angiogenesis, and Adipogenesis in Human Skin by Injection of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix. Arch Facial Plastic Surg. 2012; Mar-Apr; 14(2).

7. Cho et al. Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Ultraviolet b-Induced Skin Wrinkles in Nude Mice. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery 2011; 64: e31-e39.