Independent Reviews of Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the use of patient’s own blood in the process of regeneration and healing.
It is the basic anatomy and physiology of platelets, its clinical application and its role in the new specialty of Regenerative Medicine. PRP is for everyone who struggles with rehabilitation from physical injury and are considering nonsurgical alternatives to surgical intervention. By offering PRP to your patients you can become an expert in the field of regenerative medical modalities and proponent of conservative nonsurgical therapies for as long as possible in order to avoid the surgical intervention for your patients. There are multiple photographs that can be helpful for both patients and practitioners to understand and learn about the process of the application of the PRP therapies.
Platelets play a central role in blood clotting and wound healing. Tissue repair begins with clot formation and platelet degranulation, which release the growth factors necessary for wound repair. Platelet-derived growth factors are biologically active substances that enhance tissue repair mechanisms. After platelets are activated at a wound site, proteins are released that directly and indirectly influence virtually all aspects of the wound healing cascade. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the platelet concentration and the level of secretory proteins, as well as the amount of proliferation involved in the wound healin
In basic terms, PRP involves the application of concentrated platelets, which release a supra-maximal quantity of growth factors which stimulate recovery in non-healing injuries. PRP causes a mass influx of growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor and others, which exert their effects of fibroblasts causing proliferation and thereby accelerating the regeneration of injured tissues. Specifically, PRP enhances the fibroblastic events involved in tissue healing including chemotaxis, proliferation of cells, proteosynthesis, reparation, extracellular matrix deposition, and the remodeling of tissues. Bottom line here is that tissues can heal faster with Platelet Rich Plasma treatment.
Platelets form part of blood. They produce growth factors that assist in repair and regeneration of tissue. It is possible that if a high concentration of platelets is applied to an injury, healing may progress faster. Platelet-rich therapy involves the production of a platelet-rich (concentrated) fraction of the patient’s own blood. This is then applied, such as by an injection, to the site of injury
Platelets play a number of roles in tissue healing. These include thrombus formation and release of chemical substances that promote healing. Numerous proteins are contained within organelles in the platelets called β-granules. These proteins include transforming growth factor β (TgF-β), platelet-derived growth factor (PDgF), basic fibroblastic growth factor (b-FgF), vascular endothelial growth factor (vegF) and epidermal growth factor (egF). These proteins are secreted by the β-granules when they adhere to the platelet cell membrane, a process known as activation. The expression of various mediators differs depending on the type of tissue. This process of activation occurs by three known methods. Slow activation occurs when platelets come in contact with collagen or rough surfaces. Activation also occurs when platelets come in contact with calcium ions or thrombin. These secreted proteins not only recruit macrophages into the site of healing but also promote fibroblast and vascular ingrowth. Some of these secreted proteins released from platelets are absent in chronic inflammation.