For several reasons, platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections are growing in popularity. Used to treat conditions like sports injuries, wounds, and hair loss, PRP uses the patient’s blood cells to speed healing in a specific area. It’s a form of regenerative medicine that can amplify your body’s natural growth factors to heal tissue.
What Is PRP?
Platelet rich plasma is simply blood that has more platelets than usual. It’s made up of the following:
- Plasma – the liquid portion of the blood mainly made up of water and proteins
- Platelets – a type of blood cell that contains growth factors that can stimulate tissue healing or regeneration
To create PRP, clinicians draw one to a few tubes of blood of your blood and place them into a centrifuge that quickly spins them. As a result, the plasma and platelets are separated in each tube.
What is a PRP Injection?
After creating the platelet rich plasma, the solution is injected into the target area like injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. In this way, platelet rich plasma injections use the patient’s system to improve healing. After injection, the platelets release growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.
Because the injections are created from your blood, your body will not react negatively or reject them.
What Is Platelet Rich Plasma Used For?
Clinicians use PRP injections to treat a range of conditions, including:
- Orthopedic conditions
- Pain management
- Soft tissue repair
- Wound management
- Hair loss (also known as male for female pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia)
Is Platelet Rich Plasma Right for You?
If you are wondering if platelet rich plasma injections are an option for your condition, contact New Freedom Family Medicine. With direct primary care offices in Herrman, Washington, and O’Fallon, Missouri, we are ready to answer your questions. Contact us to get started.