Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, which has been in existence since the early 2000's, is a regenerative medicine therapy used to promote the body's natural healing abilities by utilizing blood plasma with concentrated platelets to release hundreds of growth factors.

Blood is mainly liquid called plasma. However, it does contain red cells, white cells and platelets which are solid components. Platelets, which are known for clotting, also contain hundreds of growth factors. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including a 5 to 10 time's greater concentration of growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing, bone, tendon and ligament regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process.

To prepare PRP, blood is drawn from the patient and through a separating process called centrifugation the components within the blood are isolated to produce the PRP. YOUNG-PLASMA can also be used as an alternative to a patient's PRP. The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. When PRP is injected into the damaged area it stimulates the tendon or ligament as well as causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing process. PRP Therapy has been effectively used for spinal injuries, joint injuries and soft tissue injuries.

PRP injections can be performed in muscles, tendons and ligaments all over the body. Some examples include: resistant fractures, muscle strains, ligament sprains, articular cartilage injury, acute tendon rupture, and chronic tendinopathy. According to current research studies, PRP has been the most effective treating chronic tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis or of the patellar tendon at the knee (known as jumper's knee). It is also showing promising results in therapies treating knee arthritis, helping tissues heal more quickly after certain surgeries, as well being used in a limited way to help speed up the healing of broken bones and fractures.

PRP can also be effectively used in conjunction with Prolozone Therapy because the two work synergistically to enhance healing.