swiss medicaPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained popularity all over the world. This therapy uses your blood cells to promote healing and tissue regeneration, leveraging the body’s natural recovery processes to address various medical conditions.
At Swiss Medica, we also offer this form of regenerative medicine. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed answer to the questions, “Does PRP therapy work for different conditions?” and “How does platelet-rich plasma work?”. We’ll also mention the benefits and risks of this treatment.
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets—blood cells also known as thrombocytes—in plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of blood, consisting mostly of water and protein.
How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Work?
Platelets circulate in blood and bind together to form clots and prevent bleeding. The main functions of platelets are to help tissue recover and support hemostasis in the vessel and innate immunity.
When injected into an injured part of the body, it promotes healing, reduces pain and inflammation, and improves recovery.
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How Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Work: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1. Blood Collection
A simple blood draw is performed to collect the patient’s blood.
Step 2. Centrifugation
The collected blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed to separate the blood components.
Step 3. PRP Extraction
The platelet-rich plasma is then extracted from the separated components and prepared for injection using a special technology.
Step 4. Injection
PRP is injected into the area of injury. For example, if it’s a muscle injury, the doctor would inject plasma into several locations in that muscle. Before that, the doctor numbs the targeted area with lidocaine solution. They may also use ultrasound imaging to guide the injection.
Usually PRP injections take about 30 minutes, but the time may vary depending on a targeted area.
Step 5. Recovery Process
When platelets reach the targeted area, they break down and release a powerful blend of growth factors and cytokines. These substances support cell repair and renewal, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing process.
Step 6. Post-injection
The doctor may suggest some rest, but most patients can typically resume their daily activities after a PRP injection.
Does PRP Therapy Work: When Is It Used?
PRP’s therapeutic potential can be used to treat muscle or ligament injuries, improve joint function, and age-related regeneration. Here are some of the cases we work with at Swiss Medica.
| Tendon and ligament injuries | PRP therapy is effective in treating chronic tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis. PRP also helps with the recovery of sprained or torn ligaments in the wrist, knee, and ankle. |
| Muscle injuries | Athletes commonly use PRP therapy to speed up the recovery from acute and chronic muscle injuries like tears, strains, and overuse (or repetitive stress) injuries. It helps improve tissue repair and bring back strength. |
| Postsurgical repair | PRP injections can be used after surgery to promote repair of injured tendons and ligaments. |
| Osteoarthritis | PRP can be injected directly into the joint space. This intra-articular injection delivers growth factors directly to the site of damage, promoting the repair of cartilage and other joint tissues. Reduction in inflammation, halting joint degeneration, and promoting cartilage regeneration are typically the primary effects achieved. PRP may reduce pain related to conditions such as bursitis. PRP injections in the knee may help people with osteoarthritis. It helps reduce pain and enhance joint function and mobility. |
| Age-related skin changes and hair loss | PRP therapy helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. PRP may promote collagen production and improve skin texture and tone. Studies show that PRP injected into the scalp may promote hair growth and help prevent hair loss. This may also benefit treating androgenic alopecia—male or female pattern baldness. |
Enhancing Stem Cell Therapy with PRP
At Swiss Medica, we often combine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with PRP therapy to enhance the treatment effects. The growth factors in PRP can stimulate stem cell proliferation and differentiation, enhancing the healing and regenerative capabilities of stem cell therapy.
If you’re also interested in understanding how stem cell therapy works and how we apply it in our clinic, take a look at this article.
Read nowThis combination can be particularly effective in treating degenerative conditions and injuries and performing face rejuvenation procedures. For example, PRP may create a suitable microenvironment for MSCs, which triggers better multiplication and differentiation and improves the healing process.
Some of the common injuries that can be managed with combinational therapy may include:
- Osteoarthritis,
- Tendonitis,
- Rotator cuff injuries,
- Spinal disorders,
- Inflammation in herniated discs and other conditions.
Also, such a combination can be used for anti-aging procedures.
Unfamiliar with MSCs?
Explore our article to learn more.
Benefits of PRP Therapy
| Effect | How does PRP therapy work to improve a patient’s overall health? |
| Improve natural healing processes | PRP injections don’t involve any strong medications. |
| Long-term relief | PRP can promote long-lasting pain relief and symptom improvement, lasting from six to nine months, as studies suggest. |
| Personalized treatment | PRP treatment can be adjusted to individual patient’s needs, increasing the efficiency of the therapy. |
| Reduced recovery time | PRP can accelerate the healing process, allowing patients to return to their normal activities more quickly. |
| Pain reduction | PRP therapy can reduce pain and inflammation, improving the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions. |
| Reduction in the opioids and anti-inflammatory medications intake | PRP therapy can lead to significant pain relief, which may decrease the need for opioid medications. |
| Combination with other treatments | PRP injections can be used with other therapies, like stem cell treatment or physical therapy, to increase the therapeutic effect. |
We’ve created a comprehensive medical device therapy program, featuring physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy, the Super Inductive System, and more, to deliver quick symptom relief within a structured treatment plan.
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Patient Testimonials
Positive patient feedback provides a clear answer to the question, “Does platelet-rich plasma therapy work?” With over 330 reviews, our patients share their stories and the improvements they’ve experienced after treatments, including PRP therapy, at the Swiss Medica clinic.
about PRP and other cell-based therapies. Watch videos
When Do I See the Therapy Results?
The effects of PRP treatment usually become evident a few weeks after joint injections and about six months following scalp injections. The effect of PRP therapy may last up to nine months. However, each case is different, and results of the therapy may vary.
In some cases, patients might require follow-up treatments to support and enhance the effect.
Does PRP therapy work safely without side effects?
PRP therapy is considered a safe treatment option, as confirmed by recent studies.
| Minimally invasive | The procedure involves injections, minimizing the risk of complications. |
| Low risk of side effects and allergic responses | PRP uses the patient’s own blood, reducing the risk of immunological reactions, adverse effects, or spread of infectious diseases. |
| Sterile technique | At Swiss Medica, we adhere to strict sterile protocols during the preparation and administration of PRP to ensure patient safety and reduce the risk of contamination. |
The most common side effects are mild and usually disappear on their own within a few days:
- temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site,
- swelling,
- bruising.
These effects usually disappear on their own within a few days.
Contraindications of PRP Therapy
While PRP therapy is safe for many patients, certain conditions may contraindicate its use.
| Blood disorders | Patients with blood clotting disorders, hemodynamic instability or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) may not be suitable candidates for PRP therapy. |
| Certain skin diseases | If a patient has chronic inflammatory skin disorders, this may be a contraindication and should be discussed with a doctor. |
| Active infections | PRP should not be administered at the site of an active local infection at the site of the procedure or systemic infection. |
| Cancer | Patients with active cancer, especially hematologic cancers, should avoid PRP therapy due to the potential risk of stimulating cancer cell growth. |
| Pregnancy | PRP therapy is generally not recommended for pregnant women due to the lack of research on its safety during pregnancy. |
| Use of blood thinners | Patients on anticoagulant therapy may need to discontinue their medication before undergoing PRP treatment, but this should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional. |
Before undergoing PRP therapy, a thorough medical evaluation is conducted at Swiss Medica to ensure that patients are suitable candidates for the treatment and to identify any potential contraindications.
Contact Us
At Swiss Medica, we are committed to providing innovative and effective treatments like PRP therapy to help our patients achieve their health goals. For more information, please contact our professionals.
Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor
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