Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an emerging technology and treatment that uses the natural healing properties of the blood to enhance, repair, and regenerate tissue. PRP is gaining in popularity in multiple medical specialties including sports medicine/orthopedics, cosmetic/aesthetics, gynecology, urology, and wound healing.
Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in the blood. The concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual reaching in the millions.
To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from a patient. The platelets are separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased during a process called centrifugation in a special FDA-approved machine. The concentrated platelets are injected into an area to speed up the healing and repair of damaged tissue.
How Does PRP Therapy Work?
PRP is made from a person’s own blood (just 2-4 tablespoons) by a special FDA-approved machine located in the PRP Regeneration Specialists office. The process concentrates the platelets naturally found in the blood sample. The highly-concentrated plasma contains growth factors and cytokines that work to accelerate and enhance the body’s normal healing process. This large amount of growth factors are injected and released at the site of injury or desired location for rejuvenation. These concentrated platelets induce an inflammatory response to initiate healing.
For joint or tendon injuries, the platelets are able to restore tendons and ligamentous proteins as well as strengthen cartilage. For skin and hair rejuvenation, the platelets can stimulate collagen and create new cell growth in the treated area.