What is Platelet rich plasma (PRP) ?

Overview 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or plasma platelet therapy is a substance that  aid healing when injected. It’s created by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it. This treatment (plasma rich protein treatment or plasma rich therapy) is popular among athletes for injury recovery.

Plasma, the liquid part of your blood, is primarily composed of water and protein. It facilitates the movement of red and white blood cells and platelets through your bloodstream. Platelets are blood cells that enable your blood to clot and also play a role in healing.

PRP is a component of your blood that contains special proteins or “factors” that assist in blood clotting and support cell growth. The concept behind PRP therapy is that by injecting PRP into damaged tissues, it will stimulate your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote healing. The tissue growth factors in the injections are more concentrated, leading researchers to believe that they may accelerate the healing of the body’s tissues.

While the treatment hasn’t been definitively proven and is not FDA-approved, it’s been used by well-known athletes to aid in injury recovery.

 PRP injections, which are derived from your own blood, are increasingly being used to treat sports injuries and promote post-surgery wound healing. A lot of  practitioners also use it cosmetically to address signs of aging, such as wrinkles.

What are the intended uses of PRP injections?

• PRP injections have been used by doctors to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. They’ve been found effective in treating androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
• Tendon injuries, which are typically slow to heal, have been treated with PRP injections. These tough, thick bands of tissue connect muscle to bone. PRP injections have been used to treat chronic tendon issues like tennis elbow, . .
• Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and jumper’s knee, which causes pain in the knee’s patellar tendon.
• PRP injections have also been used to treat acute sports injuries like pulled hamstring muscles or knee sprains. Sometimes, doctors use PRP injections post-surgery to repair a torn tendon or ligaments.
• For osteoarthritis, PRP injections in the knee may provide relief. A 2015 study found that PRP injections were more effective than hyaluronic acid injections, a traditional therapy, for treating osteoarthritis. However, this conclusion is based on a small trial of 160 people, so larger trials are needed for definitive proof.