prp: platelet rich plasma

PRP is a concentrated, refined product of autologous (the patient’s own) blood which has a higher platelet and growth factor concentration than whole blood. Platelets are a primary cell type present during the acute phase of an injury, spearheading the processes of hemostasis and wound healing. When activated, the platelets become “sticky,” allowing them to attach to the site of injury and initiate clot formation, release growth factors and enzymes, signal and recruit mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts (collagen producing cells), and build the scaffold which will house the environment for tissue healing. PRP also contains white blood cells and human growth hormone (hGH), among other growth factors, that are vital to promoting and sustaining a local healing response. As a result, the body is able to growth new tissue, thereby healing and strengthening the previously damaged area.