Pacifica Orthopedics, Huntington Beach, California.

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PLATELET RICH PLASMA

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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a new treatment method, which falls under a new sector of medicine known as Orthobiologics, which is a way of uniting the body’s natural ability to heal itself with the latest medical technology. It seems to be a fairly risk-free answer to naturally speeding up the healing of tendon injuries and osteoarthritis.

PRP has been reported fairly widely in the press, as result of many professional athletes receiving this treatment for sports injuries. It has been explored as clinical tool for several conditions, including oral surgery, tendonitis, bone repair and regeneration.

Blood comprises red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. Platelet Rich Plasma is produced from the patient’s own blood, which is centrifuged at different speeds until it separates into 3 layers: Platelet rich plasma, Platelet poor plasma and red blood cells. Platelets, when they are in their resting state, look like sea sponges. When they are activated, they form branches.

Initially, it was discovered that platelets are responsible for blood clotting. However, over the past two decades, extensive research as revealed that when the platelets in the body are activated they release healing proteins. These proteins are called Growth Factors. By increasing the quantity of platelets, it is possible to make a very potent mixture of growth facts, and these dramatically speed up the time factor for tissue recovery. The benefits of PRP were first used in Dentistry to accelerate wound healing after reconstructive jaw surgery. Since then it has been applied across many other medical fields from orthopedics to cardiovascular surgery.

Research has shown that PRP and analogous products improve graft adhesion. These minimize small movements, and so provide the best environment for acceptance of grafts. There are many studies in progress to improve the procedure, and prove the efficacy of this treatment. Much interest has been shown by patients in this technique. The best place to get accurate information is from your physician.

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