Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

What is Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (A-PRP)?

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (A-PRP) was first developed in the 1970s and has gained popularity since the 1990s being applied to many different medical fields including cosmetic surgery, dentistry, sports medicine and pain management.

It is defined by a limited volume of plasma (blood minus the red blood cells and granulocytes), and contains concentrated platelets, a large pool of growth factors, and proteins that have been found to enhance wound healing and repair in injured tendons, ligaments and joints. These structures, when injured, take a very long time to heal due to limited blood supply and low cell density.

The growth factors contained in A-PRP are released from granules in the platelets and when activated, stimulate repair of injured tissues through a variety of physiological mechanisms. Sports medicine physicians, primary care physicians and orthopedic surgeons throughout Europe, the United States and Canada are increasingly using A-PRP as a means to enhance the healing of injured tendons and ligaments, and to delay artificial joint replacement by years.

When injected into the skin, A-PRP stimulates remodelling and healing in the dermis and visible improvement in skin texture, fine wrinkles and even significant improvement in scarring can be seen.