PRP for you & me

PRP Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for you & me

Matthew Sykes, DO, CAQSM,

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRPT) is a new, exciting, emerging, minimally-invasive regenerative therapy which utilizes current medical and laboratory technology as a means to concentrate the body’s own innate capacity for tissue healing and restoration. Platelets are our smallest blood cells, and contain essential growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-ß, epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulinlike growth factor, which are involved in stimulating our stem cells to promote the growth of new, healthy tissues. The process of obtaining platelet-rich plasma (PRP), involves drawing as little as 10 mL of blood one's blood into a vial, and concentrating platelets which can then be extracted into a syringe for injection into damaged tissue. The most current applications for PRPT are in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine for treatment of chronic tendinitis

and small muscle tears. Historically the best use case for PRP has been in the treatment of tennis elbow otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis. While acute inflammation can be beneficial in tissue healing, chronic inflammation can lead to the replacement of the normal tendon and muscle tissue with scar tissue. Scar tissue is functionally very different than tendon tissue: it lacks elasticity and the ability to contract; therefore excess scar tissue can lead to tendon and muscle weakness, stiffness, predisposition to re-tearing, or even a rupture of muscle or tendon if significant tissue degeneration has occurred. PRP has been shown to decrease tendon inflammation, while also promoting thickening of the tendon, and also restoration of the normal tissue architecture, which ultimately results in renewed ability of the tendons and muscle to function optimally.

PRPT is also being used in the field of dermatology for treatment of hair loss, skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and also in the reduction of scar formation after surgery, as well as in the improvement of keloids and acne scars.

PRPT decreases the need for antiinflammatory medications which can, in theory, slow the body’s innate healing mechanisms and also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney impairment, gastrointestinal disease, and bleeding disorders. Advancements in the image quality of sonographic imaging have improved the accuracy of PRP therapy. Using high-quality ultrasound, areas of tendinosis or chronic muscle and/or tendon tears can be identified and targeted specifically using image guidance to direct the needle to deliver PRP to the appropriate location in the body.

Advancements in the preparation, standardization, and PRP administration will continue to lower the overall cost of PRPT, while also improving the quality of therapy, predictability of results, and patient access.

Matthew Sykes, DO, CAQSM,

Matthew Sykes, DO, CAQSM, is a board-certified family medicine physician and fellowship-trained in sports medicine and non-operative orthopedics. Dr. Sykes specializes in ultrasound-guided procedures, including: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), therapy large joint viscosupplementation, non-surgical fracture management, diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, sideline medical coverage, concussion management and the management of sports and exercise injuries . For appointment information call SportsMED Complete Orthopedic Care at 256.881.5151