What is PRP ?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a natural compound created from your own blood plasma that has been enriched with concentrated platelets. These “platelets” are little packages of various growth factors made by your body that help heal and repair damaged tissue.
Human blood components PRP
The growth factors and other healing factors present in PRP include: platelet- derived growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1& II, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, Interleukin 8, keratinocyte growth factor, connective tissue growth factor .
Who Should Consider PRP for Tendon Problems ?
Patients who fail other less invasive options such as physiotherapy, activity modification or splinting.
The scientific data supporting the use of PRP is mixed. While some studies have shown significant benefits, others have not. This may represent differences in PRP preparation and injection technique.
Platelets are shown in the above image as white.
“The PRP is platelet-rich plasma and contains over 90% of the platelets available for collection from the whole blood sample. Only the white cell depleted PRP is used.”
“The White Cell Rich PRP is discarded, leaving the White Cell Depleted PRP for injection. White cells are best removed from the PRP as they can cause pain & inflammation with injection.”
