What is it?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a subcategory of Orthobiologics and is defined as a preparation of plasma (the fluid portion of blood) with a concentration of platelets five times greater than baseline, or greater than 1 million platelets per milliliter (ml). Although the precise mechanism of action is still being researched, platelets contain an abundance of healing substances (growth factors and cytokines) that are necessary in the body’s natural healing process. As with all biologic treatments, the rationale for using PRP is the potential to provide symptom relief and possibly augment healing of soft tissues such as cartilage, tendon, ligament, and muscle.
HOW IS PRP PRODUCED?
PRP is produced by obtaining a patient’s blood sample in the clinic. The sample then undergoes centrifugation (or spinning down) to separate the blood cells and plasma and concentrate the platelets into the plasma. The blood portion of the sample is discarded and the concentrated plasma (PRP) is ready to be injected into the injured tissue.
WHAT ARE THE USES FOR PRP?
Over the last two decades, the field of “regenerative medicine” and orthobiologics has exploded. Advancements in the ease of preparation of PRP, its relative safety, and patients’ desire to pursue non-surgical treatment options have led to many unproven therapies with unsubstantiated claims being marketed towards patients. PRP has NOT been proven to reliably regenerate cartilage or improve tendon healing.
Currently there is high quality data to support the use of PRP in three conditions*:
• Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
• Chronic patellar tendinitis (“jumper’s knee”)
• Lateral Epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”)
*Rodeo SA and Bedi A. 2019-2020 NFL and NFL Physician Society Orthobiologics Consensus Statement. Sports Health. 2020 Jan-Feb. Vol 12(1): 58-60.
PRP Animation
This animation demonstrates the process for producing platelet-rich plasma. If necessary, a small amount of anti-coagulant is withdrawn into the syringe to prevent the blood from clotting. A small amount of blood is then retrieved from the patient. The syringe is then spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets into the plasma layer. The plasma layer is then retrieved into the inner syringe, leaving the blood products behind.