Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a form of therapy that can be administered to injured persons to speed up their healing process. It is the platelet that comes to the aid of damaged blood vessels by forming clots at the point of injury with the aid of repairing the damaged blood vessel. Plasma is the fourth state of matter that also includes solid, liquid and gas. It is a substance which contains adequate energy used to free electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby, allowing ions and electrons to co-exist. This is a lot to process, I know. Plasma is simply a liquid that is found in the blood, which makes up about half of the blood’s content. It has useful proteins that enable the blood to clot when necessary. We now know that platelets are important for the repair of damaged blood vessels and that plasma contains red cells, white cells, and platelets. The platelet-rich plasma therapy aids healing because it is highly concentrated in special proteins that promote healing and damage repair.
Studies show that PRP therapy is safe and effective in treating persons suffering from tension injuries, back pain, and joint pain. The platelets which are used to rejuvenate the body’s natural healing process is the patient’s own platelets. PRP therapy works to heal injured parts of the body, however, it is not magic. It works gradually. Patients who receive this therapy may feel some pain or experience some swelling at the site of injection for about two weeks. One would, however, start to experience relief and positive changes after a few weeks of PRP therapy. PRP can also be administered during a surgery, especially for patients who have a torn Achilles tendon.
Benefits of Platelet-rich Plasma
Promotes Hair Growth
PRP therapy can be used to promote hair growth by increasing the supply of blood to the hair follicles, thereby, increasing how thick the hair shaft is. One’s blood is usually drawn and put in a centrifuge, a machine that spins liquid at a high speed with the aim of separating fluids of different density from themselves. The drawn blood is spun and the centrifuge separates it into 3 layers which comprise of platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma, and red blood cells. It is the platelet-rich plasma that is taken and injected into the scalp, especially areas that do not have a lot of hair compared to other parts of the scalp. A person with low platelet count, systemic disorder, sepsis, thyroid disease, cancer, chronic liver disease, chronic skin disease, chronic infection, platelet dysfunction syndromes, metabolic disorder, and hemodynamic instability may not be considered to be fit for PRP therapy.
Heals the Tissue
The body has a natural way of healing itself, however, it might be delayed, depending on the availability of certain factors the PRP therapy encourages the fast sealing of the injured area. It reduces inflammation by protecting the body from damaged cells and pathogens, it also creates new blood vessels which encourages rapid blood circulation. PRP therapy which contains platelet-rich cells can act as a defense mechanism around the injured area to protect the body from possible infection by signaling cells like the white blood cells, macrophages, and interleukins to protect the body. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles are tissues PRP can be used to repair.
Reduces Inflammation
PRP therapy can be used to treat injured persons with the aim of reducing inflammation in the area, reduce pain, improve joint movement and function, and repair the damage done to the cartilage.
Conditions PRP Therapy Work for
Lateral Epicondylitis
This can also be called a tennis elbow. Lateral epicondylitis is a case of chronic pain on the outside of the elbow which is a result of an inflammation of the tissue connecting the elbow to the forearm muscles. This can be quite painful as the patient experiences pain and tenderness on the outside of the affected elbow. Lateral epicondylitis is quite common among tennis players or persons who play racquet sports. Painters, carpenters, plumbers, and people who use the elbow repeatedly in their line of work are susceptible to lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). PRP therapy helps reduce the inflamed tissue. It also helps ease the pain and starts to heal the inflamed tissue or repair damaged tissues.
Tendon Disorders
Some examples of tendon disorders are patellar tendonitis and Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is situated around the heels of the leg and is the largest and strongest tendon the body has. The Achilles tendon makes it possible for one to run, jump and tiptoe. It is, however, susceptible to injuries because of the workload and the limited blood supply. The Achilles tendon could tear, rupture, become inflamed, stiffen or become really thick, which could hinder movement and cause a great deal of pain. PRP therapy would stimulate the tissue and help reduce the pain and inflammation that may have caused the damage to the tendon.
Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring injuries are common among athletes and may take longer to heal. This injury may recur if care is not taken. The hamstring is a bundle of tendons located at the back if the thigh and it may become injured as a result of a tear or a strain to the tendons or muscles in that area. There are 3 grades of a hamstring injury, it could be a mild muscle pull or strain (grade 1), a partial muscle tear (grade 2) or a complete tear of the muscle (grade 3). Studies show that patients with hamstring injuries who received PRP therapy returned to their jobs faster than persons who did not. PRP therapy may also reduce the risk of hamstring injury recurring.
Rotator Cuff Repair
The rotator cuff injuries are injuries that are caused to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. This injury can reduce one’s flexibility and muscle strength. PRP therapy can hasten the healing process by increasing the arm strength, the range of motion, and reducing the dull ache one would most likely experience.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis. This is when the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wears down over time. One can experience osteoarthritis on any joint in the body — joints such as knees, hands, hips and even spine. One may experience tenderness, joint stiffness, loss of full motion range, grating or grinding sensation and bone spurs. PRP therapy would most likely reduce the pain and use the platelets injected in the affected area to repair and strengthen weak cartilage.
Side Effects of PRP Therapy
One may experience some side effects after a PRP therapy. They would most likely resolve themselves after a few weeks of treatment.
Pain
Some people may experience pain at the point that was injected with PRP. The pain may even be felt in the bone or muscle of the targeted area. This pain would most likely fade away as the platelet-rich plasma take root and begin to heal the injured area.
Infection
One may get infected after PRP therapy. This is why extreme caution is necessary when sterilizing the equipment that is needed for this procedure. There is no room for error as this may lead to an outbreak of infections which would most likely worsen the patient’s condition.
Skin Discoloration
Some people bruise easily, and the skin color around the point of injection may change color. This usually happens, and it is, however, not normal for the skin to have deep, dark bruises. It is advisable to consult a doctor if this happens, as it may be a sign that there`s something to correct.
Final Words…
When the body is injured, it has a way of fighting foreign bodies and protecting itself by trying to heal. PRP is a therapy that can help boost the body’s natural healing process; it can also reduce the pain associated with injuries, reduce inflammation and even repair damaged muscle, tendon, and cartilage. One should, however, consult a qualified doctor to know if PRP is the best course of treatment for their injuries.
