Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) started as a treatment for healing wounds, and then for injuries to tendons (such as tennis elbow), the rotator cuff of the shoulder, and osteoarthritis at joints like knees, hips and ankles. Now, researchers are studying its effectiveness for treating cardiovascular disease, with even the cosmetic industry looking to get into the action.
Dr Steven Sampson, founder of the Orthohealing Centre and clinical instructor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, has used PRP on thousands of patients over five years. He says it's popular with patients who don't want to take drugs to stop pain or have surgery, and who like the idea that they are using their bodies to heal themselves.
In PRP, the patient's blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells, which are removed leaving a clear plasma packed with platelets, irregularly disc-shaped bodies that release growth factors for the body to heal itself. The plasma is injected using ultrasound imaging to the injury site.
Sampson says that after using it on European football players, he saw 50 per cent faster recovery times. 'The sooner we get hold of an injury if we believe it is not healing appropriately or needs a boost to avoid surgery, the better.
'With chronic injuries, we have to restart the healing process by creating some early inflammation. This process takes weeks to months. Older injuries may require more injections - up to three. A newer one may require a single shot.'
He says that successful outcomes also lie in ensuring the correct indication for treatment, as well as ensuring that the PRP reaches its intended target.