Platelet-Rich Plasma, also referred to by its acronym as PRP, is autologous biological material that minimises the risk of immune response or disease transmission because the donor and recipient is the same person.
It is obtained by separating the components of a patient’s blood sample through a centrifugation process. A part of this centrifugation contains platelet-rich plasma, cells involved in the coagulation process.
During this process, platelets release a large amount of substances rich in “growth factors” that have an anti-inflammatory effect and favour tissue regeneration.
Treatment
We extract and then centrifuge a blood sample in every session to obtain platelet-rich plasma for subsequent injection into the treatment area. The treatment usually comprises 3 infiltrations in weekly or biweekly sessions depending on the injury, location and protocol to follow.
There is no need for hospitalisation or anesthesia and the estimated time per session rarely exceeds ½ hour.
PRP Applications
Growth factors are especially indicated for treating tendon conditions, joints with osteoarthritis and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system (ligaments, joints and muscles), whether acute or chronic.
Some examples of pathologies that can be treated with platelet-rich plasma are:
- Knee: Femoropatellar or femorotibial chondropathy, osteoarthritis, ligament sprains, tendinitis, enthesitis.
- Ankle/foot: Talus chondral injuries, Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, talalgia and ligament sprains.
- Back, wrist, hip.
It is also useful for certain joint injuries that affect cartilage such as chondromalacia or chondropathy.