Important Aspects Relating To Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

By Robert Johnson


Platelets are a component of blood whose main function is to facilitate the processes of coagulation, tissue healing and repair. They are derived from the same parent cells as red and white blood cells. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) comprises plasma enriched with platelets thereby enhancing its therapeutic benefits. Platelet rich plasma therapy is available in Vaughan and has a wide range of applications that include cosmetic surgery, dentistry and pain management among others.

The preparation of PRP starts with the drawing of blood from the patient. The next step is double centrifugation which separates the cellular components of blood (red cells and while cells) and plasma (mixed with platelets). The platelets that are collected together with the plasma are augmented with calcium chloride and thrombin. Cytokine and growth factors found in PRP include insulin-like growth factors, fibroblast growth factor, interleukin 8 and connective tissue growth factor among others.

The PRP is injected into the affected area directly usually under the guidance of ultrasound. This ensures that it is delivered to the exact site especially when dealing with enclosed body parts such as joints. Examples of conditions that may be treated using this type of therapy include pelvic pain, ankle sprains, cardiac muscle injuries, rotator cuff tears and ligament sprains among others. PRP can be given on its own or in combination with other treatments.

One of the most modern applications of this therapy is the use in the treatment of sport related injuries. This use was faced with uncertainty at some point due to fears that it may be breaching anti-doping laws. Extensive research by regularly bodies has not found any likelihood that the therapy gives athletes a competitive advantage which has given it a green light for the time being.

This treatment is typically done within a few hours. There are very few side effects if any which makes it possible to administer the therapeutic agent in an outpatient clinic. You will notice an improvement after a couple of hours and you can resume your normal routine immediately. A majority of people will need just a single injection in six months. For others, two or three are needed.

Rarely, injections may be followed up by pain in the area in which they are administered. This normally resolves within a couple of days but may persist in a small proportion of people. The pain is likely to be experienced by persons in whom injections take place into tendons. The presence of the plasma in the tendons irritates an already diseased tendon. In such cases, the pain will resolve after some weeks.

Although PRP can be administered in anyone, there are situations in which caution should be taken due to potential dangers. In smokers, it should be delayed and the patients asked to stop smoking for some time. This is because the healing may be delayed in active smokers due to the presence of nicotine in circulation. Medical conditions that may present potential risks include thrombocytopenia, skin cancers, sepsis, chronic liver disease and reduced fibrinogen levels.

Platelet rich plasma treatment is a treatment that has continued to grow tremendously in recent times. It is one of the most natural and safest treatments that exist and quite effective for chronic conditions at the same time. Ongoing research suggests that this is going to be one of the main treatments of the future. If you feel that the treatment will be beneficial in your case, talk to your doctor so that your suitability as a candidate can be assessed.




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