PRP therapy is denoted as platelet-rich plasma therapy. Platelet-rich plasma is a type of autologous (generated from one’s own blood) product which has increased concentration of platelets within a small amount of plasma. There are several beneficial effects of PRP ranging from hair growth to tissue-healing effects.
HOW DOES IT WORK- MODE OF ACTION?
PRP injections have platelets which are the type of blood cells derived from the person’s own body. It has proteins and blood clotting factors which prevent excessive bleeding and enhances wound healing . The proteins in PRP activate the specific receptors in the affected cells which in turn induces angiogenesis, mitogenesis along with macrophage activation.
A small amount of blood is taken from the patient and centrifuged to separate platelets from the blood. These platelets are then injected into the affected site to achieve healing effects. At the tissue level, the PRP injections stimulate the release of growth factors and initiates a cascade of reaction to the injected area of the body. The net result of PRP injection is the stimulation of stem cells which produces new host tissues. This effective property of PRP helps in healing, repair and regeneration.
IS IT SAFE?
It is cosiderd safe and effective as the PRP injections are prepared from the patient’s own blood. However, these injections initiate the healing response, it is therefore advised to stop anti-inflammatory medications once you plan to undergo PRP therapy.
WHAT ARE THE EVIDENCE THAT IT WORKS?
There are several studies which indicate that PRP therapy is highly effective in improving the healing process within the hard tissues like bone and soft tissues. It is highly effective in treating several conditions like acute and chronic tendonitis, muscle or ligament injuries.
According to studies published in the Journal of American Medical Association, PRP injections are effective in treating Achilles tendinosis.
A publication that was written in 2013 within the American Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that PRP injections are effective in treating osteoarthritis pain.
A paper was published during 2014, where it showed that PRP injections helped in reducing the symptoms associated with a knee injury.
According to a study published in Journal Stem cells translational medicine during 2015, it showed that men who received PRP injections had increased hair growth when compared to the ones who did not.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE TREATMENT?
First, the physician evaluates your condition for PRP treatment and assesses the affected site whether you are a good candidate for PRP injections or not. It is advised to stop anti-inflammatory medicines one week prior to the treatment. On the appointment day for PRP injections, your blood is drawn which is placed for centrifugation. Once the PRP is harvested, the affected site is anesthetized and PRP injections are injected into the injured area.
WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS- CONDITIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM PRP THERAPY?
- PRP Injections for hair loss are injected within the scalp which reduces the inflammation and enhances the hair growth.
- PRP injections for knee reduce the inflammation associated with different conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It reduces the pain and inflammation linked to such conditions.
- Orthopedic conditions such as shoulder pain, knee pain, bursitis, tendonitis, hip degeneration, joint arthritis, meniscal njury, anke injury, tennis elbow to name a few.
- PRP injections for the face for facial rejuvenation, anti-aging and treatment of wrinkles and facial scar marks.
- PRP injections are effective in treating arterial and venous leg ulcers
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- First and second degree type thermal burns
- Cuts, abrasions, superficial injuries along with the surgical wounds
SIDE EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONS:
In most PRP cases, people do not experience side effects as the individual’s own blood cells are used for the treatment. However, the patient might experience pain, irritation or bleeding over the injected site. The most feared but less common side effect is septic arthritis of joints.
Visit Revita Medical and skin clinic to see Dr Reza to discuss further regarding PRP injections and its beneficial effects on hair regrowth facial rejuvenation , joint and soft tissue condition etc.