PRP has been successfully used in surgery to augment shoulder rotator cuff and Achilles tendon repair. PRP has also shown great promise when injected into chronically injured tendons and when proper healing has not taken place. Many clinical trials are underway to determine the full spectrum of use for PRP. In our practice, we have anecdotally noted promising results when PRP is injected into spinal ligaments, into facet joints, and intervertebral discs when other traditional treatments have failed. This has the potential to heal discs with annual tears.
To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from the patient. The platelets are then separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased. The concentrated platelets are then injected back into the same patient (autologous) precisely where the healing is needed.