Platelets contain growth factors and a variety of chemicals call cytokines that stimulate healing. When platelets are injected into injured tissue, they break apart and release their healing contents, which in turn stimulate healing. There are two main ways to make platelet rich plasma (PRP): “in-clinic” PRP and automated PRP. In-clinic PRP uses a standard bucket style centrifuge to spin blood and separate the platelets from the other cells and fluids that make up your blood.
It is less expensive that the automated methods and is able to concentrate your platelets about 1.7 to 2.9 times your baseline. Given its lower cost, it is widely used. Automated PRP uses specially designed kits and centrifuges that spin and separate your blood to concentrate platelets up to 18 times your baseline. The automated system I use is made by a company called Arthrexx, a global medical-device company that pioneers instruments, devices, procedures and education for doctors around the world.
The Arthrexx system uses a 3 sensor centrifuge to make customized PRP solutions. The obvious question: is there a benefit to using 10 to 18 times baseline vs. 1.7 to 2.9 times baseline platelets? At this point in time we can’t clearly answer this question. I hold the perspective that more is better: the more platelets, the more growth factor/cytokines and thus the more potential for healing. There is, however, an argument to be made that at some threshold there is more growth factor and cytokine activity than the body can use, at which point the rest is wasted.
I’d rather be in a position where I’m wasting a bit rather than leaving some healing potential untapped…but this is just my perspective as the science on this topic isn’t clear. I use both methods for making PRP as each has their place…any amount of platelets injected into injured tissue is better than none.