What is PRP?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an amazing treatment that takes all the healing factors from your own blood. They are concentrated and then placed where your body needs it. If you have a tendon injury, ligament injury or joint arthritis, platelets can heal the injury and treat the arthritic pain. There are also cosmetic benefits, improving your facial appearance, promoting hair growth and improving scars. Platelet-rich plasma can also provide sexual benefits.

Is all PRP the same?

No. The third generation of PRP, also called CGF or Concentrated Growth Factors, was first developed and described in 2006 by an Italian physician (Dr. Sacco) and has recently become widely available in the United States with the Medifuge centrifuge. With a single spin, the blood is spun at multiple speeds, which concentrates the platelets while also isolating cells which express CD34+. This is a type of stem cell that greatly enhances the effectiveness of the platelets.

The other advantage of this third-generation PRP is that without anticoagulants, the platelets can be applied quickly as a liquid to apply to injured tendons and ligaments or for cosmetic benefit. By waiting a few minutes, the platelets solidify, which is great for applying to wounds. Even when applied as a liquid, the third-generation platelets solidify soon after injected, which help attach the platelets to the area injected. This allows the platelets to provide growth factors for a longer duration to increase effectiveness.

Why do muscles heal well but tendons and ligaments heal poorly?

Tendons and ligaments need extra help to heal. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones to bones. They appear whitish-yellow, which indicates that they have very little blood flow. Because of the poor blood flow, ligaments and tendons heal poorly when injured.

Contrast this with muscles. The reddish appearance of muscles indicates they have ample blood flow, so when muscles are injured, they tend to heal relatively quickly. A classic example of a muscle injury is a hamstring tear. When the muscle fibers tear, it can create ugly bruising in the thigh, but the tear usually heals within a few weeks. When a tendon tears, it can take months to heal or it might not even heal at all. Some ligament injuries such as an ankle sprain may heal very slowly or heal poorly. This is why some people tend to have repeat ankle sprains.

How does PRP help tendon and ligament injuries?

When tendon or ligament fibers are weakened or partially torn, they need blood flow to heal. The blood delivers nutrients and growth factors that lead to the laying down of more collagen. This is the building block of tendons and ligaments as well as most tissues in the body. With PRP delivering growth factors to increase collagen, the tendons and ligaments strengthen, leading to long-term healing, and the best part is that it is your own body doing the healing.

What are some examples of tendon injuries?

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff tendonitis, wrist tendonitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Osgood-Schlatter’s and Achilles tendonitis are all examples of tendon injuries characterized by weakening of the tendon fibers or even partial tears. Platelet-rich plasma strengthens the tendons and heals all of these conditions.

How are ligaments and joints linked?

Ligament injuries include all joint sprains and strains such as ankle sprains, shoulder strains, etc. The hallmark of joint arthritis is weakening of the ligaments that leads to wear and tear of the joint, with a cascade of cartilage erosion that leads to bone spurs, then joint space narrowing and eventually “bone on bone.” Any time you see a bone spur, chances are that there is a loose ligament that created the conditions that led to that spur. Platelets heal the ligaments so that the joint is more stable, the arthritic pain is relieved, and recurrent ankle sprains stop recurring.

How is accuracy in PRP placement achieved?

PRP is a concentrated solution so it is best to place it exactly where it needs to go. For example, when you have a partially torn tendon, it is best to place the platelets directly at the site of the tear. This is achieved with ultrasound guidance, which visualizes the tear and enables the needle to be positioned right at the site of the tear. So for tendon and ligament injuries, accurate placement of platelets right where they need to go leads to great results.

How can PRP help you improve your appearance?

With the Vampire Facial, you get the benefit of the healing growth factors, which lead to increased collagen and blood flow for skin rejuvenation. Without undergoing surgery, this gives your face a more youthful appearance. The great aspect of this treatment is that this is a very natural way to enhance your skin. So while stars such as Bar Rafaeli have used platelets to enhance their appearance, the Vampire Facial is accessible to you and will give your skin a healthy, revitalized feeling. Everyone has an inner beauty. PRP helps your outer beauty so it is in sync with your inner beauty.

Are there other cosmetic benefits to platelets?

The growth factors that the platelets release can also heal scars. This includes unsightly scars after a surgery or a laceration. Growing collagen within the scar will usually improve its appearance. Acne scars, which are tiny holes along the skin surface, are filled in with platelets. Burn scars may not be totally eliminated with PRP, but the growth factors can have dramatic effects on the appearance of these scars.

How does PRP help hair grow?

PRP leads to increased hair follicle formation increasing the hair density. While not practical for total hair loss, PRP is excellent for treating thinning hair in men and women. The best part is that you are stimulating the follicle growth with your own platelets without the use of medications or other invasive procedures. So if you run your hand through your hair and you feel it is thinner than you would like, PRP may be for you.

What are the benefits of PRP for men?

The benefits of platelets occur because the growth factors can enhance your sexual organ. The same growth factors that treat tendons, ligaments and skin can lead to the growth of new tissue in these organs. For men, the Priapus Shot has been used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. With the tissue enhancement provided by platelets, there is improved sensation and many who have had the procedure have observed increased size.

What are the benefits of PRP for women?

For women, the O-Shot can provide rejuvenation to enhance libido and improve dryness. Also, because the PRP is placed adjacent to the urethra, urge and stress urinary incontinence also have improved with this. Other conditions that have improved with the O-Shot include postpartum fecal incontinence, episiotomy pain and chronic interstitial cystitis.

What makes PRP so special?

PRP is abundant, safe and the world’s most sophisticated repair system. Nothing else comes close to its amazing properties. PRP is a powerful source of growth factors. What’s best is that it comes from your own body, so you are healing your own body with your own platelets. Whether you have an injury that needs the healing benefit of platelets, or if you want to enhance your appearance, promote hair growth or improve a scar or if you have challenges that can be enhanced with your own platelets, you should consider PRP to improve your quality of life.

Dr. Slaten is a pain wellness physician in Ridgewood, New Jersey. For more than 20 years, he has been practicing regenerative techniques with great skill and an open mind. Check out his website at www.njprp.com.