Pittsburgh Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) INJECTIONS

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, which is created by taking blood and concentrating the platelets in plasma. Why do this? The platelets in your blood are responsible for clotting. They also have growth factors in them which help stimulate repair of the damaged tissue.

What are growth factors? Think of growth factors like espresso shots for local repair cells. They stimulate other cells to do more work and can even call the needed repair cells to the area. In the platelet, they live in packets called alpha granules.

Why Regenexx PRP Mixtures are Better than Standard PRP / Platelet-Rich Plasma

In most clinics that offer PRP therapies, the method of developing PRP involves removing a patient’s blood and running it through a simple bedside centrifuge machine to separate the plasma and concentrate the blood platelets, which are then immediately extracted and used as the injectate. These devices are not great at getting rid of unfavorable cells from the resulting mixture. Our lab tests show that white and red blood cells have an inhibiting effect on the same stem cells the platelets are attempting to stimulate and might cause excessive inflammation following the injection.

Because of its concentration levels of platelets, Regenexx’s Super Concentrated PRP takes on an amber color. It has been shown to deliver up to 10 – 40x times more platelet concentrations than the standard “bloody” PRP.

Our PRP is purer, concentrated, and customizable because it is produced in a laboratory setting by an experienced technician who can separate and concentrate all the blood’s good components and remove the unfavorable ones.

Much of this depends on what’s being treated. While the effects on joints can be quick, tendon or ligament treatment often takes longer to show results. In these types of treatments, most patients take 2-4 months to improve.

You can watch Dr. Centeno, the founder of Regenexx, give a good explanation of PRP recovery times in this video:

PRP is not covered by most health insurance plans, other than the Regenexx PRP procedures that are covered by some employer-sponsored health plans.

The outcomes research on PRP is getting more and more clear by the day. Here are the areas where we have very good research:

• Knee Arthritis – In a recent larger review of many different high-level studies, PRP was shown to be effective in treating knee arthritis. Some research shows that PRP tends to work better in patients with less severe arthritis, while another shows that the severity of arthritis makes no difference.
• Tennis Elbow – PRP injection has also been shown to be more effective than steroid shots in the treatment of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).
• Spine – PRP works better than steroid shots for the treatment of sacroiliac (SI) pain. PRP also helps patients with low back pain caused by bad and painful discs. PRP has also been shown to be more effective than steroid injections for facet joint pain.
• Achilles Tendinopathy – This one is a bit murkier, but the most recent research shows that PRP likely works for treating Achilles tendon pain. In addition, one study went so far as to take a small piece of the Achilles after injection treatment which showed better collagen structure in the PRP injected tendon than the one injected with placebo.

Other things PRP may be able to help include partial rotator cuff tears – (a small study has shown that PRP injection can help, but no high-level research has been done). Having said that, we routinely use high-dose LP-PRP to help these patients.

PRP is different from a stem cell injection.

Think of PRP as a stimulus for repair, sort of like an espresso shot for all of the local repair cells. Stem cells are like a general contractor for the repair job that can also turn into the brick and mortar needed. In general, we’ve found that PRP tends to work better for mild arthritis and partial ligament and tendon tears. However, bone marrow stem cells tend to be better at treating more severe arthritis and bigger tendon tears.

Understanding PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves extracting a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the PRP into the injured or affected area. PRP is rich in growth factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration. It is commonly used to treat:

• Mild to moderate osteoarthritis
• Tendon injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Sports-related injuries

PRP therapy is effective in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and accelerating the healing process. It is a minimally invasive treatment that can be performed in an outpatient setting, making it a convenient option for many patients.

Understanding Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC)

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) therapy, also known as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), involves collecting bone marrow from the patient’s hip bone, concentrating the stem cells and other regenerative components, and injecting the concentrate into the affected area. BMC is rich in stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into various types of tissues, making it highly effective for more severe conditions. BMC therapy is typically used to treat:

• Severe osteoarthritis
• Large tendon tears
• Significant ligament injuries
• Advanced joint degeneration
• Complex spine conditions

BMC therapy leverages the body’s own stem cells to promote extensive tissue repair and regeneration, offering a powerful alternative to surgical interventions.

When to Choose PRP vs. BMC

The choice between PRP and BMC depends on the severity and type of the condition being treated:

• PRP Therapy: Best suited for mild to moderate injuries and conditions where the primary goal is to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote faster healing. Ideal for patients looking for a minimally invasive treatment with a quick recovery time.
• BMC Therapy: Recommended for more severe or advanced conditions that require robust tissue regeneration. Suitable for patients with significant joint, tendon, or ligament damage who may otherwise require surgical intervention.

At Regenexx® Pittsburgh, our experienced physicians will evaluate your specific condition and medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment option for you. Both PRP and BMC therapies offer promising results, and our goal is to provide you with the best possible care to help you return to your active lifestyle.