Plasma is a blood component that contains special proteins that help clot blood. The platelet-rich plasma is produced by spinning the blood in the centrifuge, separating the platelet-rich plasma.
The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used to treat various conditions, such as:
- Sports injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone graft treatment
- Baldness in people
- Muscle injury or damage
- Symptoms of arthritis
- Signs of aging and wrinkles and adjuvant therapy for scars
What is platelet-rich plasma?
Plasma is a liquid part of blood that contains mostly water and protein. Plasma helps move red and white blood cells through the bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps clot blood and heal.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes healing. PRP has increased platelet count. The concentration of platelets is 5 to 10 times more than normal.
To produce PRP, first, the blood is collected from the person and the platelets are separated from the blood cells by a process called centrifugation. These platelets are then injected into the injured site.
What is PRP injection, and how does it work?
After the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced, the solution, along with anesthesia, is inserted into the target area. For example, in Achilles tendinitis, a condition seen in runners and tennis players, the heel gets swollen, inflamed, and painful. The PRP solution is directly injected into the inflamed tissue. Initially, the area may have severe pain, but gradually, the person feels the effects of the PRP solution.
Any injuries sustained during sports can be improved by injecting PRP solution into the injured site.
5 uses of platelet-rich plasma
- Treats hair loss: Treats male or female baldness, reduces hair loss, and helps stimulate hair growth.
- Cosmetic purposes: Rejuvenates the skin and improves the signs of aging. Helps reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used to treat acne scars as adjuvant therapy.
- Tendon, ligament, muscle, and joints: This may help treat musculoskeletal injuries by stimulating the healing process and decreasing pain caused by any injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. The injuries, such as the tennis elbow and jumper’s knee, may take longer to heal. PRP injections may hasten the healing process, which helps return to regular activities sooner.
- Post-surgical healing: Initially, clinicians used PRP to accelerate jaw and plastic surgeries. Nowadays, the use of PRP injections is expanded and used to heal muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Osteoarthritis: When inserted in the knee, PRP injections may help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
SLIDESHOW
Anemia: Common Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment See SlideshowWhat are the side effects and risks of PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have very few side effects and risks. This procedure involves the withdrawal of blood, so make sure before the procedure you are hydrated well and take food to prevent lightheadedness. The PRP injections use the affected person’s blood, and the risk of allergic reactions is extremely low.
The few common side effects of PRP injections include:
- Bruising and soreness at the injection site
- Bleeding
- Irritation at the injection site
- Tissue damage
- Infection
- Nerve injuries
Before taking PRP injections, you need to stop certain medications, such as:
- Blood thinners, such as aspirin
- Vitamins and supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids
Who should avoid PRP injections?
Mostly platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are safe to use. However, people with the following medical conditions should avoid PRP injections:
- Severe thrombocytopenia
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Hemodynamic instability
- Acute and chronic infections
- Chronic liver diseases
- Sepsis
- Hepatitis C
- Blood cancer
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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/platelet-rich-plasma-prp/
Platelet-Rich Plasma. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21102-platelet-rich-plasma
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment
Platelet-rich plasma. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/platelet-rich-plasma-dermatological-applications
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