Platelet-Rich-Plasma Injections: Really the Next Miracle Treatment?

Image of PRP injection. Original photo retrieved from here.

In a society that thrives on trends and quick fixes, scientists are always hunting for “the next big thing.” This year’s latest health craze is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. PRP captured widespread attention as a so-called “miracle” treatment for conditions ranging from joint pain to skin rejuvenation (Pixley et al., 2023). Although everyone is ready to hop on the latest bandwagon, doubts linger. Is this latest phenomenon truly a scientific breakthrough or nothing but a carefully crafted hoax?

How Does it Work?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated part of the blood, enriched with platelets (Everts et al., 2020). Platelets are tiny cell fragments in the blood that play a key role in healing wounds (Marques et al., 2014). These platelets contain growth factors and proteins essential for healing and tissue regeneration (Everts et al., 2020).

The PRP preparation process is quite straightforward. Professionals use a centrifuge to spin a patient provided blood sample, leading to platelet concentration. This results in platelet-rich plasma, then injected in target areas like joints, tendons, and skin (Marques et al., 2014). The platelets found in the plasma should accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation, as shown in Figure 1.

PRP injections aim to take advantage of the body’s repair capabilities. One of the significant advantages of PRP is that it is analogous. The sourcing of PRP from patient blood samples leads scientists to consider it a “natural” option. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions and compatibility issues. PRP also shows immunomodulatory effects, meaning that it helps to regulate the immune system. This helps to allow a healing process.

Figure 1. This graph shows human platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB) plotted against platelet count (Marx, 2001). PDGF-AB is a key signaling protein released by platelets. It also encourages cell growth and cell division, so it is important for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The graph shows that as platelet concentration increases, so does the availability of PDGF-AB. The amount of growth factors available to tissues increases directly in proportion to platelet concentrations (Marx, 2001).

PRP Concerns

Concerns about the effectiveness of PRP injections stem from the lack of standardized protocols for preparation and administration. The use of varying techniques causes discrepancies in platelet concentration and growth factors in each injection (Arnoczky et al., 2011). Studies suggest that PRP does not always perform better than traditional treatments, raising suspicion of a placebo effect (De Vos et al., 2014). The sourcing of PRP from the patient’s blood leads to PRP classification as safer and more “natural” (Martínez-Martínez et al., 2018). This patient optimism can contribute to perceived improvements (Martínez-Martínez et al., 2018). The potential for placebo effect emphasizes the need for robust research to isolate PRP’s real therapeutic effects from psychological ones (Martínez-Martínez et al., 2018).

The lack of regulation in the PRP market raises red flags. Clinics that offer PRP often make bold claims without any scientific evidence (Seck et al., 2022). For example, some advertise PRP as a “miracle” anti-aging solution, that can permanently erase wrinkles or reverse joint damage (Bajaj et al., 2022). Nonetheless, research suggests that these benefits are often temporary and vary widely among patients (Alam et al., 2018). These exaggerated claims can mislead patients. Thus, it is crucial to critically evaluate PRP’s real effectiveness through unbiased research (Marques et al., 2014).

Figure 2. The graph shows the huge increase in popularity of PRP treatments over the years. The data illustrates an overall increase in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments from 1979 to 2022 (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2024).

Concluding Remarks

It is essential to assess the sincerity of the hype surrounding PRP injections. Are we truly witnessing a milestone advancement in healthcare, or merely a well-marketed illusion?

The answer lies in the continued research and evaluations of PRP’s role in medicine (Peng, 2019). Scientific bias exists regarding the use of PRP therapy in certain medical conditions. One cannot overlook the variability in results, lack of standardization, and ethical concerns surrounding PRP promotions.

Plasma injections might not be a hoax but the treatment is a topic of hot debate within the medical community. As studies emerge and protocols evolve, patients need to remain informed and aware of their healthcare decisions. Patients considering PRP injections should be cautious, seek advice from qualified medical professionals, and rely on evidence-based practices.

References

Alam, M., Hughart, R., Champlain, A., Geisler, A., Paghdal, K., Whiting, D., Hammel, J. A., Maisel, A., Rapcan, M. J., West, D. P., & Poon, E. (2018). Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Rejuvenation of Photoaged Facial Skin: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA dermatology, 154(12), 1447–1452. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.3977

Arnoczky, S. P., Delos, D., & Rodeo, S. A. (2011). What is platelet-rich plasma? Operative
Techniques in Sports Medicine, 19(3), 142–148. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.otsm.2010.12.001

Bajaj, S., Orbuch, D., Wang, J. V., & Geronemus, R. G. (2022). Preparation and Utility of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Facial Aging: A Comprehensive Review. Advances in therapy, 39(9), 4021–4036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-022-02239-6

De Vos, R.-J., Windt, J., & Weir, A. (2014). Strong evidence against platelet-rich plasma
injections for chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy: A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(12), 952–956. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-093281

Marques, L. F., Stessuk, T., Camargo, I. C. C., Sabeh Junior, N., Dos Santos, L., & Ribeiro-
Paes, J. T. (2014). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Methodological aspects and clinical
applications. Platelets, 26(2), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.3109/09537104.2014.881991

Martínez-Martínez, A., Ruiz-Santiago, F., & García-Espinosa, J. (2018). Platelet-rich plasma: Myth or reality? Radiologia (English Edition, 60(6), 465–475.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rx.2018.08.00

Marx, R. E. (2001). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): What is PRP and what is not PRP? Implant
Dentistry, 10(4), 225–228.

National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2024). PubMed.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=prp%20case%20studies

Peng, G. L. (2019). Platelet-rich plasma for skin rejuvenation: Facts, fiction, and pearls for
practice. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 27(3), 405–411.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2019.04.006

Pixley, J. N., Cook, M. K., Singh, R., Larrondo, J., & McMichael, A. J. (2023). A
comprehensive review of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of dermatologic disorders. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 34(1), 2142035.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2022.2142035

Seckin, S., Ramadan, H., Mouanness, M., Kohansieh, M., & Merhi, Z. (2022). Ovarian
response to intraovarian platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration: Hypotheses and potential mechanisms of action. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(1), 37–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-02

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