PLATELET RICH PLASMA

Medical use

Acute or Chronic Back, Neck or Joint Pain can affect the quality of your life.

Relieve the pain and improve the quality of your life with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, the latest innovative procedure at Glory Wellness Center & Weight Loss Clinic.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet-Rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains (and releases through activation/degranulation) several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue. Normal platelet concentration is 200,000 platelets; PRP has a baseline of 1,000,000 platelets. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) regenerates damaged tissues stronger and faster than most traditional treatments. Because Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is processed from the patient's own blood (autologous), there is no risk of allergy or rejection with this treatment.

Why Platelets

Platelets are a component of blood and considered the most important in stimulating the healing response of injured tissue. We are all familiar with a cut on our skin and the clot that forms within minutes to stop the bleeding. Platelets are responsible for creating the blood clot, which stops the bleeding but they also activate the repair of the damaged tissue. The process for the repair of the skin is no different than it is for the repair of other tissue types, such as tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage of our musculoskeletal system. Based on this principle, platelets are now able to be extracted from your blood and put back into areas of the body which suffer from chronic injuries. By placing concentrated platelets and white blood cells into areas which have a limited blood supply the injured area gets “jump started” to heal. The platelets and white blood cells begin creating a network of fibers and proteins to begin rebuilding and bring growth factors for all cells involved in rebuilding and regenerating. Depending on the concentrating equipment and techniques, the white blood cells can further be removed.

Platelets contain many proteins and growth factors (IGF-1, TGF-Beta, VEGF, PDGF, and BFGF) which are secreted when they become activated and signal the migration of cells to produce enzymes necessary to digest the old injured tissue and proteins and growth factors to create new tissue. One important cell which is recruited is the mesenchymal stem cell. As we have heard in the news – stem cells rejuvenate any tissue they come in contact.

As described above the platelets are powerful messenger cells for healing, but credit is also due to the white blood cells as they also contain important cytokines and enzymes. Cytokines (interleukins and lymphokines) are considered regulatory proteins which help to generate an immune response. It is the white blood cells which are considered responsible for long term tissue regeneration via macrophages and increased monocyte adherence. As for infection, it should be noted that the white blood cells also significantly inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, two common bacteria responsible for wound infections.

What general conditions can be treated with PRP?

Many different types of musculoskeletal injuries and pain respond well to PRP treatment. Some common conditions include, but are not limited to:

Knee Pain

Hip Pain

Shoulder and Arm Pain

Back Pain

Lower Leg and Foot

Other Areas

When should PRP be used first?

As mentioned above if your injury is severe enough to warrant surgery and/or your joint degeneration has progressed to moderate/severe, PRP should be considered prior to the more invasive surgical option. If you have a tear in the meniscus (knee cartilage) or the labrum (shoulder cartilage). Platelet Rich Plasma(PRP) will deliver and recruit the necessary blood growth factors and stem cells to repair these types of tissues. Cases where there has been no response to traditional treatments or when surgery is being considered, PRP may be able to help patients avoid surgery, and studies are starting to show this.

How does it work?

Following an initial consultation and evaluation, treatment options will be discussed and information will be provided for you to make an informed decision regarding your treatment. A full explanation of the procedure including risks and benefits will be reviewed. On the day of your PRP treatment, blood is drawn from your arm and placed in a special centrifuge unit which separates platelets, white blood cells and serum from red blood cells. The platelets wirh or without white blood cells are then concentrated and collected into a sterile syringe. Your skin and soft tissue is first anesthetized with local anesthetic followed by the injection of the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). . Depending on the area(s) being treated, one or more injections may be made.

Treatment Plan

Depending on the severity and duration of your injury, as well as the type of centrifuge unit (single spin or dual spin) used to harvest the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), one (dual spin) to three or more (single spin) PRP injections are suggested. Following the initial treatment with PRP, a follow up visit occurs 2-3 weeks later. At this visit an evaluation of your response to the initial therapy is performed and a decision is made regarding the need for additional PRP treatments. In general, chronic injuries require more than one injection. In both acute and chronic injuries, injections may be combined with an exercise or physical therapy program to enhance the success of the treatment.

What type of centrifuge unit do we use?

RegenKit - BCT Platelet Rich Plasma Preparation from Glory MedClinic on Vimeo.

We have both single spin and dual spin centrifuge units.

How long will the process take?

The entire process will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Maybe a little bit longer in some cases.

What are the risks and side effects?

Research and clinical data show that Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), injections are extremely safe, with minimal risk for any adverse reaction or complication. Because PRP is produced from your own blood, there is no concern for rejection or disease transmission. There is a small risk of infection from any injection into the body, but this is rare. Also, possible risks include bleeding and nerve damage.

Recent studies suggest that Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is bacteriocidal to Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas: " Platelet rich plasma appears to be effective in preventing growth of Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus Aureus. Bactericidal effects are also noted ". Common side effects include pain and/or ache in the injection site, swelling and bruising.

What to expect post injection?

Most commonly, patients may experience an increase of pain, which normally subsides to a dull ache, which could last up to 2-5 days. This means very little time off of work, unless your job requires strenuous activity.

PRP is not recommended for patients with:

 

PROLOTHERAPY

What is prolotherapy?

It is a process in which substances are injected into connective tissues to start the inflammatory cascade with the end result stronger and thicker connective tissues. We use it in conjunction with PRP for the knees and other areas as needed.

How does it Work?

Injected substances irritate tissues which release various growth factors, cytokines. Leukocytosis occurs as well as stimulation of fibroblasts. Granulation tissues form along with wound contraction and collagen formation.