Centrifugal force is used to create platelet-rich plasma. Solid blood elements (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) are separated via centrifugation due to variations in size and density.

Because of the FDA mandated prohibition on the maximal manipulation of stem cells and the rigorous enforcement crackdown this past September, those clinical propnents of autologous bone marrow derived adults mesenchymal stem cells have not been able to continue with their respective therapeutic initiatives.  As a result, poorly informed patients are seeking Platlet Rich Plasma.

PRP an unproven options, say experts

An international group of orthopaedic surgeons, clinician scientists, and researchers concluded during the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons annual meeting this past week that, for many orthopaedic conditions, administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be an option, but its efficacy is unproven. The participants of the 2011 PRP Forum also endorsed the development of standards in the manufacture of PRP, noted that PRP may be contraindicated in some conditions, and called for the establishment of a study group to follow up on the other recommendations resulting from the session.

Attendees discussed the applicability of PRP in the following areas:

• treatment of acute soft-tissue injuries, such as Achilles tendon rupture and rotator cuff repair
• chronic tendinopathies such as plantar fasciitis or medial/lateral epicondylitis
• augmentation of soft tissue or bone such as in spinal fusion
• treatment of cartilage defects such as those resulting from osteochondral lesions or osteoarthritis.

All PRPs are not the same
All PRPs are not the same and the treating physicians may not be aware of what they are putting in the patient. Although PRP is a concentrated, autologous preparation developed from your own blood, some concentrations may contain double the number of platelets while others may contain five or ten times the number of platelets. The proportion of white blood cells, growth factors, and other compounds such as thrombin can also affect the compound.

If the truth be told, we don’t know how PRP works.. Most of the published literature on the efficacy of PRP in treating orthopaedic conditions that range from acute rotator cuff repair.