What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is an FDA-approved, safe, and effective medical regenerative therapy that utilizes the human body’s own blood to treat injury and repair tissue. The platelets in blood contain hundreds of proteins – referred to as “growth factors”. When injected directly into the site of injury, these growth factors work to stimulate new cell growth and healing.

PRP is blood plasma with a higher concentration of platelets than a typical blood sample – about 5 to 10 times higher (richer). To create platelet-rich plasma, a small sample of blood is drawn from the patient. Using a centrifuge, the blood is separated into layers. The platelet-rich layer is carefully removed from the sample, then injected back into the patient directly into the damaged tissue, where the concentration of growth factors can get to work repairing and healing the injury from the inside out.

Why is PRP Treatment so popular among athletes?

Athletes representing every major sport (and many smaller, Olympic ones) currently use PRP for the treatment of injury. The main reason athletes turn to regenerative medicine is because it works! PRP therapy is also versatile and fast-acting. Each year across the U.S., platelet-rich plasma is used to effectively treat many orthopedic sports medicine injuries.

More and more athletes each year are discovering the benefits of PRP therapy and choosing it over surgery as a treatment option due to its speed and effectiveness.

Famous athletes who have used PRP in recent years include:

  • Golfer Tiger Woods
  • Basketball Player Stephen Curry
  • Football Player Hines Ward
  • Baseball Player Chris Capuano
  • Olympic Skier Daron Rahlves

As you can see from this short list, athletes from a wide range of sports utilize PRP treatment. But you do not have to be a professional athlete to take advantage of the benefits of PRP! If you experience joint or tendon pain when you play ball with your kids, work out in the gym, or go for a run – PRP treatment might be the solution. If you would like more information about platelet-rich plasma, give the professionals at PRP Regeneration Specialists a call at (352) 260-4061.