Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Introduction

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a powerful regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated preparation of your own platelets to accelerate healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. We prepare autologous PRP on-site using a validated single-spin system, achieving platelet concentrations 4–6 times above baseline with minimal red or white blood cells (pure PRP / LP-PRP). Ultrasound guidance ensures every millilitre is delivered precisely into the damaged tissue for maximum regenerative effect.[1][2]

How It Works

Platelets contain hundreds of bioactive proteins and growth factors stored in alpha-granules, including PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), and FGF (fibroblast growth factor). When injected into damaged tissue, platelets become activated and release this concentrated “healing cocktail” over 7–10 days.[3]

These growth factors:

• Recruit stem cells and fibroblasts to the injury site
• Stimulate new collagen production and extracellular matrix remodelling
• Promote angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation)
• Shift chronic, poorly healing tissue into an acute healing phase

  The result is stronger, more organised tendon/ligament repair and reduced pain that continues to improve for 3–12 months after treatment.

A Deeper Look at the Biochemistry of PRP Healing

Upon activation, platelets release their alpha-granule contents within the first hour, creating a local supra-physiologic concentration of growth factors. PDGF and TGF-β drive fibroblast proliferation and collagen Type I synthesis. VEGF and FGF stimulate new capillary growth, reversing the hypoxic environment typical of chronic tendinopathy. IGF-1 enhances tenocyte and chondrocyte survival and matrix production. The sustained release profile (peak at 24 hours, continuing for ~7 days) creates an ideal anabolic environment without the catabolic effects of corticosteroids.[4]

Multiple high-quality studies confirm that pure PRP significantly increases tendon collagen content, improves fibre organisation, and restores normal tensile strength, and reduces pain more effectively than placebo or whole blood injections.[5]

The Process

1. 12–36 ml of blood is drawn from your arm into 1–3 vials (12 ml each, depending on the volume needed).
2. The blood is single-spun in our on-site centrifuge to produce 3–6 ml of high-concentration, leucocyte-poor PRP.
3. Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the PRP is precisely injected into and around the damaged tendon, ligament, or joint. Peppering and fenestration techniques maximise growth factor exposure.
4. Mild post-injection soreness is common for 2–7 days (the “flare” reaction that signals healing has begun).
5. Most conditions require only 1–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Light activity is encouraged; heavy loading is gradually re-introduced over 4–12 weeks.

Who It Helps

Ultrasound-guided PRP is particularly effective for:

• Chronic tendon injuries (tennis/golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, gluteal tendinopathy, patellar and Achilles tendinopathy)[6]
• Partial ligament and muscle tears
• Early-to-moderate knee, hip, and ankle osteoarthritis[7]
• Low back injury and facet arthropathy
• Plantar fasciitis and chronic ligament sprains
• Persistent pain after failed physiotherapy or cortisone injections

PRP is less effective for complete tendon ruptures, advanced “end-stage” osteoarthritis with bone-on-bone changes, or purely neuropathic pain. According to randomised controlled trials (RCTs), PRP often demonstrates superior long-term pain relief and functional improvement compared to prolotherapy in conditions like rotator cuff tendinopathy and knee osteoarthritis, though both are effective and comparable in many cases for tendon and ligament injuries.[8][9]

Results

Randomised controlled trials and large meta-analyses show 70–85% of patients with chronic tendinopathy and early osteoarthritis achieve good to excellent outcomes with PRP, with benefits continuing to improve up to 12 months.[10] Many patients who previously failed conservative care report significantly greater and longer-lasting relief with PRP. The treatment is autologous (your own blood), extremely safe, and has no risk of rejection or disease transmission.[11]

We frequently combine PRP with osteopathic treatment, perineural injection therapy, and high-intensity laser therapy to address complex or multi-tissue injuries.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7695398/ (PRP preparation standards)  
2. https://orthopedicreviews.openmedicalpublishing.org/article/40998-platelet-rich-plasma-in-musculoskeletal-pathology-update-2023
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4338219/ (growth factor release profile)  
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32233909/ (biochemical mechanisms)  
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8753558/ (meta-analysis tendon healing)  
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34963384/ (tendinopathy outcomes)  
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9197004/ (knee OA meta-analysis)  
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31743987/ (RCT rotator cuff: PRP superior long-term)  
9. https://bostonsportsandbiologics.com/blog/prolotherapy-vs-prp-for-knee-osteoarthritis (RCT knee OA comparisons)  
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36052409/ (long-term outcomes 2022 review)  
11. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21102-platelet-rich-plasma