Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy has gained a great deal of attention in recent years, as medical professionals believe in its ability to both support and speed healing. But what exactly does platelet rich plasma therapy do?
PRP is used to hasten healing of musculoskeletal injuries – common among professional athletes. The plasma is simple to prepare. A sample of the patient’s own blood is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets, then the concentrated platelet rich plasma is injected at the injury or surgery site. The idea is to stimulate the healing process right where it’s needed most.
There is little risk of rejection or allergic reaction, because PRP is made from the patient’s own blood.
Platelet Rich Plasma – How does it work?
Platelets are one of the components of blood. Their primary role is clotting, one of the key factors in the healing process of tissue repair and regeneration. Along with a concentration of platelets, the PRP contains a number of different growth factors used by the body to promote soft tissue and bone healing.
The human body responds to injury by increasing blood supply to the site, delivering platelets that release growth factors such as serotonin, thromboxane, and adenosine to start the healing process. They also help promote coagulation and stimulate formation of fibrin.
When platelet rich plasma is injected or applied, it releases these same growth factors. In turn, the growth factors trigger production of local progenitor cells and movement of inflammatory cells into the area. Because these are the body’s natural responses to injury, adding PRP treatment fuels the healing process.
Platelet Rich Plasma
PRP therapy has been used for the past two decades. A number of studies have been conducted to learn more about how it helps and its efficacy, and there will surely be more studies conducted in the future. Nonetheless, platelet rich plasma treatment has already been shown to work as a catalyst, enhancing production of both stem cells and fibroblasts.
Platelet rich plasma therapy is relatively simple and quick to prepare in a medical office setting, given the right equipment. When you know the practice uses the Bellus Medical ProGen PRP System you can feel confident they’re using the safest technology and the most advanced PRP system in the industry, equipped with fully customizable product volumes and platelet concentrations designed to meet your unique needs.