PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual.
To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from a patient. The platelets are separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased during a process called centrifugation. Then the increased concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood. A small blood sample is taken from the person being treated and put into a centrifuge or other specialized device that spins at high speed. This process separates platelets from other blood components. The concentration of platelets is then injected into the area of the person’s body that needs to be treated.
In PRP therapy, a concentration of platelets is injected into the damaged ligaments, tendons, joints, etc., in order to promote tissue repair and accelerate the healing process. Since platelets are rich in growth and possess healing properties, an injured individual can resume a pain-free life in an average of four to six weeks.