PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) — What It Is and How It Works

What is PRP?

PRP—Platelet-Rich Plasma—is a regenerative treatment that uses the patient's own blood to stimulate the natural healing of affected tissues.

The basic idea is simple: the platelets in our blood contain growth factors—bioactive proteins that play a central role in tissue repair. When we concentrate these platelets and inject them exactly where they are needed, we give the body a focused and targeted biological healing boost.

PRP is not a drug. It contains no synthetic chemicals. It is, literally, a fraction of your own blood, processed to amplify its regenerative potential.

How is PRP Obtained?

The procedure is simple and performed in the office, without anesthesia and without hospitalization:

Step 1 — Blood Draw. A small amount of blood (10-20 ml) is drawn, just like for a routine blood test.

Step 2 — Centrifugation. The blood is placed in a special centrifuge that separates its components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and the platelet-rich plasma. This step takes a few minutes.

Step 3 — Injection. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma is drawn up and injected directly into the affected area—joint, tendon, or muscle.

The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes. The patient can go home immediately afterward.

How Does It Work?

The concentrated platelets release a series of bioactive factors at the injection site:

• PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor)—stimulates cell proliferation and the formation of new blood vessels
• TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor beta)—regulates inflammation and stimulates the formation of extracellular matrix
• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)—improves blood supply to the affected area

The result: a controlled inflammatory response, followed by accelerated tissue repair processes. The body does what it already does—but more concentrated and more efficiently.

In Which Conditions is PRP Useful?

PRP is used with promising results in:

Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, ankle)—reduces inflammation and stimulates the regeneration of remaining cartilage. The best results are seen in early to moderate stages.

Chronic Tendinopathies—epicondylitis (tennis elbow), Achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinopathy, painful shoulder. PRP is particularly effective in tendinopathies that do not respond to other treatments.

Muscle Injuries—strains, partial tears. It can accelerate recovery in athletes.

Post-Surgical Recovery—sometimes used to stimulate healing after arthroscopies or other procedures.

What Results Should You Expect?

As with hyaluronic acid, it is important to have calibrated expectations:

• The effect is not immediate. Improvement appears gradually, usually within 2-4 weeks. It's normal to feel mild discomfort for the first 1-2 days—a sign that the body is reacting.
• Results vary individually. Not all patients respond the same way. The stage of the condition, age, physical activity, and the biological quality of the plasma influence the outcome.
• PRP is not a miracle treatment. It does not completely regenerate destroyed cartilage and does not replace a joint replacement in stage IV osteoarthritis. But it can bring significant relief in stages where there is still recovery potential.

PRP vs. Hyaluronic Acid—Which One to Choose?

They are complementary treatments, not competing ones:

• Hyaluronic acid lubricates and protects—ideal for knee osteoarthritis with mechanical pain.
• PRP regenerates and reduces inflammation—ideal for tendinopathies and osteoarthritis with an inflammatory component.

Often, the combination of the two provides results superior to either one administered alone. The decision is made during the consultation, based on the diagnosis. → Read the full comparison: HA vs. PRP vs. cortisone

Practical Information—The PRP Brochure

I have created a dedicated brochure for PRP therapy that contains all the practical details: how it works biologically, in which conditions it is indicated, how the procedure is performed, the advantages, safety, and post-treatment recommendations.

📄 Download Brochure: PRP Therapy—Natural Healing with Your Own Plasma (PDF)

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