Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets, using a process of standard whole blood collection, followed by anticoagulation (usually with citrate dextrose), and finally, centrifugation. This process separates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) component of the blood from the red blood cells and other non-therapeutic components, producing a concentrated source of self-derived (“autologous”) platelets as the final PRP product.

This resulting PRP component contains both growth factors and cytokines that may have the ability to support or stimulate the healing of bone, as well as soft tissue structures, such as ligaments, tendons, fascia, and more. While there have not yet been large-scale, controlled clinical trials conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PRP, the procedure has nonetheless become commonplace in medical offices worldwide, most notably, within orthopedic offices. [Read more…]