Cobanoglu Clinic,Çobanoğlu Klinik

PRP

PRP is the short definition for Platelet Rich Plasma. PRP is a new treatment method. It is a hopeful solution that will quicken healing of musculo-skeletal system injuries and diseases in a natural way without taking any risks. Blood is made of red cells, White cells, plasma and thrombocytes (Platelets). It is known that thrombocytes are primarily responsible of blood clotting. For over 30 years, we know that thrombocytes secrete healing proteins when activated, namely growth factors. Growth factors in a well prepared composition heal the tissues and rejuvenate them. They also activate silent local stem cells. Accordingly, we can make a strong mixture of growth factors which increase tissue recovery dramatically by increasing the concentration of thrombocytes in our blood. Blood is taken from the patient, processed and thrombocytes are aggravated. Aggravated thrombocytes are separated from other parts and thus PRP is acquired. While there are 150.000-400.000 thrombocytes in each milliliters of blood, this number increases to 1 million in PRP. The philosophy of PRP is to combine the natural healing capacity of the body with advanced technology. Concentrated thrombocytes have high dose bioactive proteins such as growth factors which are primary during repair and rejuvenation of tissues. The quality of PRP depends on the viability of thrombocytes. PRP should be prepared and administrated by an expert team. Because thrombocytes must be viable during preparation stage; otherwise non-viable thrombocytes cannot be activated. In the same way, when not prepared properly, thrombocytes activate early and growth factors can be lost in the preparation phase. PRP regenerated cells or tissues must adapt to three dimensional organization and form an extracellular matrix. This condition may require an absorbable scaffold shaped structural support. We can think of this scaffold like a prepared honey comb which is put inside the bee hive. Bees put the honey essence they collect from the flowers into the honeycomb and form a three dimensional organization. Cells from the person’s own tissues such as fat tissue or bone marrow can be extracted and used as a scaffold.

Indications

1. Osteoarthritis: Knee, shoulder, hip, neck and lumbar osteoarthritis.
2. Shoulder Pains: Rotator cuff injuries
3. Chronic Plantar Fasciitis (with heel spurs or not)  
4. Injuries of anterior cruciate ligament  
5. Pelvic pain and instability  
6. Neck and lomber pain
7. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow 
8. Ankle sprains 
9. Tendinitis
10. Ligament injuries 
11. Meniskus tears
12. Muscle rheumatism. 

How does PRP affect healing?
The first response to soft tissue damage is to summon thrombocytes. Filled with growth and healing factors, fibroblasts draw repairing units and stem cells to the area. Also, it helps neovascularization and increases blood flow to the area. Increased blood flow means better nutrition and toxin removal. Another interesting feature of PRP is that it is a very balanced growth factor mixture. Almost all of the required factors are provided with PRP.

How frequent is it applied? When does the effect begin?

Usually, up to 3 injections can be applied within 6 months with 2-3 weeks session intervals. After the first or second injection, there may be full recovery. PRP treatment is not a temporary solution which is effective immediately. Regeneration and repair of the tissues will take time. Physical therapy can be continued in order to quicken up the healing after the procedure. The purpose of PRP treatment is to relieve pain by healing the tissues and it may take time to get results. The first symptoms of healing can be seen within a few weeks and recovery continues increasingly with time.