Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been gaining popularity over the past few years – and for good reason.

It’s an exciting and advanced option that uses the body’s natural healing processes to treat inflammation and tissue damage.

In this post we’ll go through the basics of PRP therapy and how it can work for you.

What are platelets?

Platelet production takes place in the bone marrow. The cells contain a protein that helps blood to clot. This makes platelets a vital part of the blood. If a person has a low platelet count, then the risk of excessive bleeding increases.

Platelets travel around the blood vessels and bond to the site of a cut or injury to help stop bleeding.

Additionally, platelets release substances, called ‘growth factors’, which promote cell growth and tissue regeneration. This is the theory behind why platelet-rich plasma therapy can help people heal faster.

What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid component of blood. It carries red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other materials through the body.

On its own, plasma is a thin, clear, colourless fluid, made up of about 60% water. In addition to water, plasma contains proteins, nutrients, hormones, glucose and antibodies.

What is PRP therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma injections are a non-surgical procedure. The therapy uses elements from your own blood plasma to reduce pain and improve musculoskeletal function.

PRP therapy is commonly given to patients with soft-tissue injuries. It’s also used to help people with joint degeneration from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Other health issues that may benefit from PRP therapy include:

• Tendon problems such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis and jumper’s knee
• Sports injuries, including knee sprains and pulled hamstring muscles
• Post-surgical recovery. This includes repairs to the rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder or reconstructive plastic surgery
• Burns and other skin damage or dermatological conditions
• To promote hair growth or prevent hair loss, especially male pattern baldness.

The treatment involves extracting a small sample of your blood into a vial. A centrifuge device spins the vial at high speed to separate the platelets from the blood. This concentration of platelets (the ‘platelet-rich’ substance) contains the growth factors to stimulate the healing process inside tissue.

Doctors inject the PRP directly into the affected area, such as damaged ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints.

For deep joints, like hips, specialists may use ultrasound imaging to guide the needle to the most effective place. Ultrasound guidance also helps to avoid damaging delicate structures such as nerves.

Benefits of PRP therapy

The benefits of PRP therapy include:

• Tissue regeneration after injury
• Reducing the inflammation that causes pain
• Mobility improvements
• Slowing the progression of a joint disorder (potentially delaying the need for an artificial joint)
• Reduced need for anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers. And minimising the side effects that often come with them
• The risk of side effects or complications is very low. This is because the biological source material for the PRP injectables comes from the patient’s own blood
• Recovery time is fast. People can usually carry on with daily activities shortly after the injections
• A course of three injections (received over a 3-6 week period) may provide relief for about 12 months on average.

Book an appointment

At Ravenscroft Health, we specialise in private treatments for sports medicine and musculoskeletal problems.

Pain injections such as PRP therapy are well worth considering, especially if other (non-surgical) treatments were not effective. It also provides an alternative to surgery in case that’s not a suitable option in your situation.

Our expert team will be happy to discuss your symptoms and needs. Then you can explore which treatment may be the best for you.

Contact us to book a private appointment.