What is Platelet - Rich Plasma (PRP) and how is it extracted?

PRP is the isolated portion of plasma in your blood, which is richest in stem cells and growth factors. These cells play a very vital role in your body's natural healing and regenerative abilities. PRP is extracted by collecting a small amount of your blood, amounts similar to what you would submit during routine blood tests. The blood is placed in a centrifuge that spins the blood at a fast speed to separate liquid plasma from other components.

How does PRP work?

Platelet rich plasma is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including 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. So when PRP is injected to the damaged area, it stimulates the injury causing mild inflammation which triggers the healing cascade of the body. As a result, new collagen develops and regenerative process gets kick started again.

Uses of PRP

Plasma rich platelet injections are almost painless in our physicians hands. Latest practices involve the use of PRP along with stem cell therapy for better results of stem cell therapy. Platelet rich plasma has been used by surgeons for more than 2 decades, to accelerate healing and reduce risk of infection after surgery. Although in the modern era, benefits are extended to various other conditions, such as:

• Osteoarthritis, Chronic lower back pain, Chronic neck pain
• Injuries to tendons and ligaments (sprains and tears)
• Acute and Chronic tendon issues
• Treatment of hair thinning in males and females
• Treatment of acne scarring, skin laxity and fine lines
• Treatment of Diabetic ulcers, or other non-healing ulcers
• Treatment of Keloids or Burns scarring

What to expect when you come to us for PRP treatment

Your specialist will customize a treatment plan for you based on your concerns. We would help you decide, whether you will benefit from PRP treatment alone or PRP combined with stem cell injections. Patients must keep in mind, as regenerative medicine uses the body's natural healing mechanism, it's an innovative technique not instantaneous.

Almost everyone is an excellent candidate for PRP, only times when PRP is contradicted:

• Patient is anaemic
• Patient is pregnant
• Patient has a blood disorder or takes anti-coagulants
• Patient has an ongoing medical condition, ex: infection, it may be spread via the injection to injury site.