Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PANAMA CITY, FL

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. PRP is derived by taking a sample of venous blood, placing it in a special tube, and spinning the blood in a centrifuge. This seperates whole blood into its components including red blood cells, platelets, and plasma (the non-cellular fluid in blood). The middle layer constitues PRP, which contains highly concentrated platelets, the cells that normally promote blood clotting. These cells also contain a number of specialized chemicals known as growth factors. These include platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, and vascular endothelial growth factor. These factors interact with local cells and send signals that initate a variety of events such as cell division and migration. The basic idea behind PRP injections is to deliver high concentrations of growth factors to an area of injury, with the hope of stimulating a healing response and reducing inflammation in the tissue. Platelet-rich plasma has been found to significantly enhance the healing process.