Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma injections are a form of regenerative medicine that harnesses the body’s ability to heal itself in order to effectively treat a variety of conditions and injuries. Using a small amount of your own blood, your doctor will separate red blood cells from the platelet rich plasma (PRP), which is the component in your blood that stops bleeding and helps your body heal.
What Is Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)?
While plasma is the liquid component of blood, mainly made up of water and proteins, platelets are the blood cells that onset growth healing functions, making platelet activation the main factor of the body’s natural healing process. Using a concentration of a patient’s own platelets, PRP is mainly used to accelerate the healing process of musculoskeletal injuries, including muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
The process begins by extracting one to two tubes of a patient’s own blood then filtering it through a centrifuge to concentrate platelets. The platelet-rich blood is then injected back into the patient and guided by an ultrasound image to target the injured area of the body. With an increased amount of platelets, the body is able to heal more quickly, resulting in less downtime and a successful recovery.
