What is a PRP Injection?

According to Wikipedia:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains (and releases through degranulation) several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

The efficacy of certain growth factors in healing various injuries and the concentrations of these growth factors found within PRP are the theoretical basis for the use of PRP in tissue repair. The platelets collected in PRP are activated by the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride, which induces the release of these factors from alpha granules. The growth factors and other cytokines present in PRP include:

[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platelet-rich_plasma]


According to Ortho Healing Centre:

RP therapy offers a promising solution to accelerate healing of tendon injuries and osteoarthritis naturally without subjecting the patient to significant risk. PRP is an emerging treatment in a new health sector known as ”Orthobiologics.” The philosophy is to merge cutting edge technology with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Blood is made of RBC (Red Blood Cells), WBC (White Blood Cells), Plasma, and Platelets. When in their resting state, platelets look like sea sponges and when activated form branches. Platelets were initially known to be responsible for blood clotting. In the last 20 years we have learned that when activated in the body, platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. There are many growth factors with varying responsibilities, however cumulatively they accelerate tissue and wound healing. Therefore after increasing the baseline concentration of these platelets, we are able to deliver a powerful cocktail of growth factors that can dramatically enhance tissue recovery.

PRP is virtually a cocktail of many proteins that collectively stimulate repair and regeneration. However there are some proteins included in PRP that we can now selectively isolate to promote anti-inflammatory effects and pain reduction. Scientists have now developed natural/homeopathic based tools to selectively isolate the cells/growth factors within PRP that meet our needs of customizing the treatment by reducing inflammation and simultaneously stimulating repair.

As recognized international experts following 5 years of performing thousands of PRP injections and publishing numerous articles; we have learned that many factors can limit or assist healing. Because PRP utilizes your own blood to heal, we have learned that each patient is unique and a “one size fits all” approach is not ideal. At the Orthohealing Center we integrate the latest innovations like photomodulation, cytokine therapy, and specific supplements for tendon and cartilage to compliment PRP therapy. With the incorporation of these adjuncts and our skilled technique utilizing ultrasound guidance we are seeing improved results with much less post injection pain. We have trained physicians from all over the world utilizing our advanced techniques.
Orthohealing’s published comprehensive review of published literature
Conditions Treated
Frequent Q + A
PRP Live Demonstrations
PRP Publications
Case Studies + Testimonials
PRP Spine
Photomodulation

[Source: http://www.orthohealing.com/plateletrichplasmatherapy-prp/]


And according to the Mayo Clinic:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is injected directly into the ailing tendon. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood that transports red and white blood cells and platelets through the blood vessels. It's derived from the patient's own blood, a process that involves spinning a blood sample at high speeds. One byproduct is plasma, which contains a high concentration of platelets — thus the name platelet-rich plasma.

Doctors have found that about 70 percent of those receiving PRP therapy showed improvement. Early research suggests that PRP injections:
Attract healing cells to tendon tissues that have deteriorated
Stimulate new growth of tendon cells
Stimulate production of tendon collagen — the building blocks that give tendons their strength
[Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2010-mchi/5702.html]