Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

What is plasma and what are platelets?

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots, as well as other necessary growth and healing functions.

What is a PRP injection?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced from a person's own blood. It is a concentration of one type of blood cell (platelets), which is critical for blood clotting. This concentration is injected to an injured or diseased part of a person’s body to accelerate the healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and joints. A key advantage of PRP injections is that they can reduce the need for opioids, or even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. In fact, use of anti-inflammatories should usually be ceased at the time of PRP treatment, because the platelet-rich plasma optimizes the initial inflammatory response involved with healing.

How are PRP injections performed?

PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood. It is then run ("spun down") in a centrifuge to separates the blood into its various components: red and white blood cells, plasma, platelets, etc. The platelets are collected and concentrated to anywhere from 2 to 8 times their normal number. The platelets are then mixed into a blood plasma liquid base and injected directly into the area of injury. Ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide the injection. The images below show a PRP injection into a patient's torn tendon. The ultrasound guidance is shown at left and the injection is shown at right.