Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Platelet rich plasma utilizes the inherent growth factors found in platelets to increase natural cell growth and recovery from injury. PRP is autologous (derived from the same individual/patient) and uses a specialized process to separate the plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
- The platelets are concentrated into the plasma and most RBCs and WBCs are removed, then the solution is injected into a joint or entheses (ligament attachment to bone).
- There are many studies showing the effectiveness of PRP in knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow. Other studies show conflicting information regarding the use of PRP, but it may also be helpful in rotator cuff tears, ACL injuries, hamstring injuries, labrum injuries and achilles tendinopathies.
Facial Rejuvenation with PRP
- PRP facial rejuvenation works by the injection of platelet rich plasma with a variety of growth factors and cytokines into the face. Once injected into your skin, the platelets will help to heal and produce new collagen.
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Facial PRP is commonly performed for the improvement of
- fine lines
- wrinkles
- skin tone
- hyperpigmentation and
- reduction of pore size.
The procedure involves a simple blood draw, topical numbing of the face and multiple small injections into the skin of the face.
Prolotherapy
- Prolotherapy, or proliferation therapy, is the use of dextrose injections to help increase normal cellular regeneration in a joint or the surrounding ligaments. By introducing an irritant solution to the attachments of ligaments to bones (entheses) or into the joint space it encourages the natural healing process of the surrounding tissues which strengthen the joint and restore stability.
The injection consists of:
In a 2016 review article dextrose prolotherapy was said to be indicated in tendinopathies, osteoarthritis of the fingers and knees, as well as pelvic pain due to ligamentous dysfunction. Other uses include
- normal saline (salt water)
- dextrose (sugar water)
- lidocaine/procaine (an anesthetic) and
- occasionally B vitamins.
- chronic elbow pain
- hip bursitis and
- ankle pain.
Contact us today at (425)905-2410 to schedule a consultation regarding our prolotherapy and PRP procedures.
References
Hussain N, Johal H, Bhandari M. An evidence-based evaluation on the use of platelet rich plasma in orthopedics – a review of the literature. SICOT-J. 2017;3:57. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2017036.
Hauser RA, Lackner JB, Steilen-Matias D, Harris DK. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clinical Medicine Insights Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2016;9:139-159. doi:10.4137/CMAMD.S39160.
Autologous platelet-rich plasma versus readymade growth factors in skin rejuvenation: A split face study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Jun;16(2):258-264. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12341. Epub 2017 Apr 5.
