Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Todd V. Swanson, MD

Many surgeons are now using biology rather than surgical technology for treatment of a multitude of musculoskeletal problems. Although stem cell therapy holds promise for the future, the use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is here today.

Platelet Rich Plasma is a concentrate of multiple growth factors normally found in the blood. PRP can now be acquired in the office setting using the patient’s own blood and relatively simple equipment to centrifuge the blood and separate red blood cells from the plasma rich in platelets containing various growth factors.

Some of these factors include such proteins as Transforming Growth Factor-beta, Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Platelet Derived Growth Factor, Epidermal Growth Factor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Connective Tissue Growth Factor. There are likely many others that we have not yet identified, but these factors, when injected into an area of tissue damage (such as tendinitis, bursitis, or arthritis) stimulate the body to “jump start” the healing process.

Thus far, PRP has been used successfully in the treatment of such ailments as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinitis and bursitis, muscle strains, and even arthritis. Additionally, PRP can be used at the time of surgery to accelerate the healing process and sometimes reduce pain.

Although one of the remaining obstacles with use of PRP is getting insurance companies to pay for the procedures, PRP holds promise for the nonoperative treatment of multiple musculoskeletal ailments.

For more information, see this very thorough review:

http://www.prolotherapy.com/PPM_JanFeb2008_Crane_PRP.pdf.