Have you been suffering from knee pain or shoulder pain for a long time? Maybe you are frustrated that your hair is falling out despite all the treatments you have tried. When you are looking for a treatment for this problem, you may have heard the name "PRP". Since so many people are talking about it, you may have many questions in your mind, such as what is it really, is it useful, and is it safe. So today, let's talk about this PRP treatment from the beginning, very simply.
What is PRP simply?
The full meaning of PRP is Platelet-Rich Plasma . In Sinhala, it means "Plasma rich in platelets". Although the name is a bit complicated, the concept is very simple. In this treatment, the treatment is made from your own blood, not from somewhere else.
Think of our blood as a mixture of different things. In addition to red blood cells and white blood cells, there are also very important small parts called 'platelets' . These platelets are like little doctors in our bodies. When we get injured somewhere, they stop the bleeding and help the wound heal.
The reason for this is that these platelets contain special proteins that heal wounds and grow new tissue. We call them growth factors . In PRP treatment, you separate these very valuable platelets from a small amount of your own blood, increase their concentration by about 5-10 times than in normal blood, and inject them back into the area of your body that needs to be healed.
We call the liquid part of our blood plasma . So these highly concentrated platelets are in this plasma. That's why it's called Platelet-Rich Plasma.
How is this PRP treatment done?
This process happens very systematically. To give you a clear understanding of this, let's look at it step by step.
| Steps | Simple description of what is happening |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Obtaining blood | First, your doctor or a trained nurse will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm as usual. Because this is your own blood, there are no risks of allergies or infections that can occur with blood from someone else. |
| Step 2: Separation of blood components | The blood is then put into a special machine called a centrifuge . This machine spins at high speed and separates the components of the blood into layers based on their weight. The heavier components, such as red blood cells, sink to the bottom, while the platelets and plasma we need remain on top. |
| Step 3: Vaccination | Finally, the collected platelet-rich fluid (PRP) is injected into the area you want to treat, such as a painful knee, a tendon, or a bald spot. Sometimes, your doctor may use an ultrasound scan to help pinpoint the exact location. You may also be given a numbing medication to numb the pain. |
A treatment like a joint injection can usually take about an hour, but a facial cosmetic treatment (PRP facelift) or hair treatment can take a little longer.
Is there any preparation required before the treatment?
Yes, a little preparation is required. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking certain medications a few days before the PRP injection.
- Especially blood thinners
- NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen)
These should be stopped because they can affect platelet function. It is also very important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have, especially blood-related conditions, as this treatment may not be suitable for everyone.
What are the benefits of PRP treatment?
Research shows that PRP greatly stimulates the body's natural healing process. This happens in several ways.
- Stimulates the healing process: Sometimes, when injected into areas of long-standing injuries that have been slow to heal, it causes a small amount of inflammation in the area, helping the body's natural healing process to begin anew.
- Stimulates collagen production: Collagen is a protein that is essential for the formation of our skin, tendons, and ligaments. PRP increases its production, strengthening the tissue.
- Accelerates cell renewal: As we age or due to disease, our cells slow down in dividing and renewing themselves. PRP stimulates this process.
- Reduces chronic pain: This can relieve pain by reducing inflammation that causes things like chronic joint pain.
Are there any risks or disadvantages to this?
The best thing is that PRP treatment has very low risks because it is done using your own blood, which is part of your own body.
However, there are a few things you should know:
- Risk of infection: There is a very small chance of infection if proper care is not taken to ensure sterility during blood collection and processing. However, good medical centers usually take the utmost care in this regard.
- Pain: You may feel some pain at the injection site during and after the injection. Sometimes it can be a little more painful than you think.
- Expensive: This is the main challenge for many people. PRP treatment is a bit expensive. Because it is not like an over-the-counter medicine, it is something that requires taking your own blood, processing it with special equipment, and having someone with expertise do it. So, if you have to do the treatment multiple times, you also have to consider the cost.
What to expect after PRP injection?
What happens after the vaccine?
Immediately after the PRP injection, you will feel some swelling and pain at the site. Don't worry, this is normal. This means that the healing process we talked about earlier has begun. This pain may last for a day or two. Your doctor will advise you about this.
When do you start seeing results?
This is not an overnight miracle. It can take several weeks to feel any pain relief or skin changes. It can take months for damaged tissue to heal completely, or for new hair to grow. Some people may need to have the injection several times for the best results.
How long do these results last?
This will vary depending on your condition and how your body responds. Typically, the effects of this treatment can last from 6 months to a year or more . During that time, your symptoms will gradually decrease.
Is PRP really a successful treatment?
This is the most important question. To be honest, it's hard to give a straight "yes" or "no" answer to this.
Some people get amazing results from PRP, but others don't notice much difference. Doctors still don't know exactly why these results vary so much. So no one can guarantee that it will work for you 100%.
One reason for this may be that there is still no standardized process for making PRP. This means that things like the platelet concentration in the PRP solution made at different locations may vary.
Many doctors consider PRP an 'adjunct therapy' . That is, it is not the only treatment, but something that is done in addition to your main treatment. For example, PRP injections can be given along with other injections for joint diseases (e.g. cortisone shots).
However, PRP can be a promising treatment for someone with a chronic condition that has not responded to other treatments. If you have concerns about this, the best thing to do is to talk openly with your doctor about whether this is right for you, what results you can expect based on your condition, and what the pros and cons are.
Take-Home Message
- PRP is a treatment that harnesses the healing power of platelets and growth factors in your own blood.
- It is mainly used for joint pain, tendon disorders, hair loss, and cosmetic skin problems.
- Since your own blood is used, the risks are very low. However, this is a somewhat expensive treatment.
- It may take several weeks or months to see results, and you may need to repeat the treatment several times.
- This treatment does not work for everyone, so be sure to discuss it with your doctor before deciding if it's right for you.
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