Have you ever heard the name 'PRP' while looking for a solution to your chronic knee pain, or a sports injury, or your thinning hair? Perhaps a friend of yours has told you about this treatment. So today, let's talk about what this PRP treatment that many people are talking about really is and what it does.
Simply put, what is PRP?
The full name of PRP is Platelet-Rich Plasma . In Sinhala, it means Platelet-Rich Plasma. But that name seems a bit complicated, doesn't it? Let's understand it this way.
PRP is a special treatment fluid with high healing properties, made from your own blood .
Did you know that our blood has several main parts? Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. These platelets are our heroes. Do you know why? Inside these little platelets are special proteins called growth factors . These growth factors are like the 'healing soldiers' that come to our body to heal when there is a wound.
PRP therapy involves extracting a small amount of your own blood, called platelets, and concentrating them in a much higher concentration. This PRP solution typically contains five to ten times more platelets than a sample of your own blood. This platelet-rich solution (PRP) is then injected into the area of your injury or condition. The hope is that this will speed up the healing process in that area.
How is PRP treatment done?
Although there are slight variations depending on the disease for which this procedure is performed, the basic steps are the same for everyone. Let's take a look at what those steps are.
| Steps | What happens is simple. |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Obtaining blood | The doctor will take a small amount of blood from your arm as usual. The important thing is that this is your own blood , so there are no complications that occur when you take blood from someone else. |
| Step 2: Blood separation | The blood is put into a special machine. This machine is called a centrifuge . It spins the blood at high speed and separates the blood components (red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) by weight. This way, the platelets are concentrated. |
| Step 3: Vaccination | The prepared PRP solution is injected into the area of your injury (e.g. knee, shoulder, skull). The doctor may even use an ultrasound scan to help guide the injection to the exact spot. A numbing medication may also be given to reduce pain. |
The entire process usually takes about an hour. Cosmetic treatments, such as hair growth, can take a little longer.
What preparations do I need to make before this treatment?
Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications before undergoing PRP treatment. This is especially true for blood thinners and pain relievers called NSAIDs . It is also important to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor to make sure this treatment is safe for you. This treatment may not be suitable for people with certain blood disorders.
What are the benefits of PRP treatment?
Research shows that PRP has the ability to heal tissues that are slow to heal or that refuse to heal. This happens in the following ways:
- Stimulates the healing process: The treatment first causes short-term inflammation at the site of the injury, triggering the body's natural healing mechanisms.
- Collagen Production: Stimulates the production of collagen, a protein essential for building tissues like our skin and tendons.
- Cell repair: Accelerates cell division and repair, which slows down with aging and disease.
- Long-term pain relief: Reduces swelling that causes long-term pain and relieves pain.
Are there any risks? How much does it cost?
The risks of PRP treatment are very low. The main reason for this is that your own blood is used . However, there is a very small chance of infection if the place where the blood is collected and the PRP is made is not properly sterilized. However, hospitals and clinics are usually very careful about this.
The most important thing is that PRP treatment can be a bit expensive . The reason is that it can't be made in large quantities at once, like a drug you can buy at a pharmacy. Each person has to make it individually, using their own blood, so the process costs money.
How should we expect results?
What happens after the vaccine is given?
After the PRP injection, the area may initially swell and feel sore . Don't worry! This is normal. This indicates that the body's healing process has begun. This swelling and soreness may last for about a day or two.
How long does it take to get results?
It may take several weeks to see initial results, such as pain relief. It may take several months for damaged tissue to fully heal or for new hair to grow. Some people may need more than one treatment to achieve the desired results.
Is this successful for everyone?
This is a very important point. While some people get very good results from PRP, others may not get as good results. Doctors are not 100% sure yet why these results vary. One reason for this may be that the method of making PRP varies from place to place. Therefore, no one can guarantee that this treatment will definitely be successful for you.
However, for someone who has had a long-standing condition that has not responded to other treatments, PRP may be an option worth trying. PRP is often used as an adjunct therapy , rather than as a stand-alone treatment.
Take-Home Message
- PRP is a treatment that concentrates the healing components (platelets) in your own blood and injects them into the affected area.
- This can provide relief from conditions such as joint pain, tendon disorders, and hair loss.
- Since you are using your own blood, the risk is very low. But it can be a bit expensive.
- The results are not the same for everyone. Some people may have great success, while others may not have as many results.
- This is not 'magic', but it is a good alternative for incurable conditions.
- The most important thing is to discuss with your doctor whether PRP treatment is right for you and what benefits you can expect from it.
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