About Platelet
Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PRP?
Platelet Rich Plasma is composed of plasma with a high concentration of white blood cells (WBC) and platelets containing growth factors. The WBCs help fight infections while the platelets help clot the blood and contain the powerful growth factors needed to start the healing process. A normal platelet count is 150,000-350,000.
PRP contains 3-6 times that number and sometimes more.
PRP can be used in almost any surgical specialty such as orthopedics, general, urological, dental/maxillofacial, periodontal, plastic, podiatric, ENT, vascular, gynecologic, pain management, and wound care. Please discuss PRP as an option with your doctor to better understand some of these benefits:
- Tendons and ligaments that repair more quickly
- Reduce post operative swelling, bruising, scarring, and pain
- Slow or stop post operative oozing, reduces blood loss, and accelerates bone regeneration
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) helps “jumpstart” the healing process because it is a concentration of your own autologous (aw-tal’-o-gus) platelets, which have reservoirs filled with powerful “growth factors and healing agents”. To get the PRP we obtain a small amount of your blood (1-2 oz.), then separate and concentrate the platelets. Your surgeon then applies the concentration of platelets to your wound, surgical site, or injury site. Clinical data has clearly shown that PRP acts as a bioactive bandage and jumpstarts the healing process. In many different surgical specialties, the data shows that PRP accelerates the healing process, slows or stops post operative oozing, reduces blood loss, accelerates bone regeneration, helps tendons and ligaments repair more quickly, reduces inflammation, and decreases post-op pain.
What are growth factors?
Your platelets release healing proteins called growth factors. There are many growth factors with varying responsibilities, however, cumulatively they accelerate tissue and wound healing. Therefore, after increasing the baseline concentration of these platelets, we are able to deliver a powerful dose of growth factors that can dramatically enhance the healing process.
In summary they:
- Promote the growth of specific types of cells and tissues
- Increase development of new blood vessels
- Accelerate bone regeneration
- Initiate connective tissue formation
- Attract “clean up” cells
Where can PRP be used?
PRP can be used in almost any surgical specialty where tissue or bone has been injured, cut, or bruised.
Specialties include:
- Orthopedics
- Plastic
- General
- Urological
- Dental/Maxillofacial
- Periodontal
- Podiatric
- ENT
- Vascular
- Gynecologic
- Pain Management
- Wound Care
How is PRP applied?
Who makes PRP?
Most of the time the blood is drawn by a nurse or other qualified allied healthcare professional.
A HemaSource technician specifically trained in the proper application and use of PRP then processes the blood. Our technician will assist and advise the surgeon in the proper application of the PRP. The process takes approximately 15-20 minutes.