PRP Explained: Is It Really A Miracle Treatment?

PRP is often used to heal trauma and joint injury. Click here to find out what else it is used for and if it is really a miracle treatment.

01:54 25 November 2023

The usage of PRP – platelet-rich plasma – has increased over the last few decades, with doctors discovering its regenerative effects and ability to both harness and amplify natural growth factors. This has led PRP injections to become one of the primary treatments for soft tissue injuries, including minor rotator cuff and achilles tendon tears.

It has also proved functional in reducing pain for people afflicted with tendonitis, or injuries to the ligaments of muscles. In more recent years, it has also been used for filler injections – with clinicians using a blend of PRP and penis fillers for penis enhancement, increased blood flow, and combatting symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

PRP Explained

For those unaware, plasma is the liquid portion of the blood, composed mainly of proteins and water that provide a medium for white and red blood cells, as well as platelets – also known as thrombocytes – to circulate the body.

Before being injected, PRP is taken from the patient’s own blood and then run in a centrifuge to separate the blood into each of its components – plasma, platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. The platelets, in this case, are concentrated and mixed with the plasma, before being injected into a specific part of the body. This then releases growth factors that increase the number of reparative cells, which subsequently enhances the healing process.

Is It Really A Miracle Treatment?

Over the last few years, PRP has often been referred to as a “miracle treatment”, especially when it comes to filler procedures that we mentioned earlier. When it comes to cosmetic fillers, some of the main concerns are the side-effects of hyperpigmentation, scarring, dull, and even loose skin. PRP, however, counteracts these concerns because of its healing capabilities. After an injection, the natural collagen growth in the skin makes the injected area look refreshed and rejuvenated, and the chance of allergic reaction is also greatly reduced.

For penile fillers, there have been many success stories, including that of a wounded veteran who underwent PRP and filler injections to overcome significant injuries to the penis. Not only was the procedure successful from a cosmetic point of view, but the symptoms of ED – caused by the initial injuries – were also extinguished. PRP’s ability to reduce pain has also been a key reason people refer to it as a “miracle”, with a number of patients dealing with arthritis undergoing the procedure to harness the body’s healing powers and significantly reduce the pain.

PRP: An Effective Treatment

While these cases do not make it a “miracle treatment”, it is certainly an effective treatment for anyone with the issues described above. The injection is relatively painless, and while there is sometimes bruising and swelling within the first few days, as the skin heals, this quickly subsides.

If you think you need this treatment, or if you are interested in receiving it, it is important to first talk with your doctor or a nearby, reputable clinician who can walk you through the procedure, and determine whether it is the best route forward for you.