Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): A new procedure that is gaining popularity across the world in the treatment of tendinopathies and arthropathies is platelet rich plasma administration. This procedure is analogous to autologous blood injections, but involves delivery of the concentrated platelet rich plasma, which is rich in growth factors.
Blood platelets are responsible for bringing white blood cells to the injured area to clean up the remains of dead and injured cells. Most importantly to this discussion, blood platelets release growth factors that are directly responsible for tissue regeneration. These substances are called cytokines and include platelet derived growth factor, epithelial growth factor, and other important growth factors.
PRP has been used for years in surgical centers around the US and abroad to improve the success of bone grafting (especially in dental surgery) and also by cosmetic surgeons for speeding healing time and decreasing the risk of infection after surgery. Only in the last few years have doctors and surgeons been experimenting with injecting PRP for the treatment of chronic pain. Tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis/tendonosis, rotator cuff tears, meniscal tears, osteoarthritis and chronic low back and neck pain are all being treated with the injection of PRP with the goal of regenerating degenerated connective tissue with reports of success.
