Platelet-Rich Plasma in Orthopedics: Biological Healing Beyond Mechanical Repair
Orthopedic medicine has entered a new regenerative era, shifting focus from purely mechanical intervention toward biologically driven healing. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation, offering a scientifically grounded method to stimulate tissue repair using the body’s own biological resources.
PRP is an autologous concentrate of platelets suspended in plasma, enriched with growth factors essential for musculoskeletal regeneration. These bioactive molecules—such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)—play a critical role in cell migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
In orthopedic applications, PRP does not replace surgical or mechanical solutions; instead, it enhances biological conditions necessary for successful healing. Tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone are tissues with limited intrinsic regenerative capacity. PRP addresses this limitation by accelerating the natural repair cascade at the cellular level.
Clinical evidence demonstrates that PRP modulates inflammation rather than suppressing it. This distinction is fundamental. While anti-inflammatory medications inhibit healing pathways, PRP orchestrates a controlled inflammatory response that initiates regeneration without chronic tissue degradation.
The reliability of orthopedic PRP therapy depends heavily on preparation quality. CE Marked Class IIb PRP systems, delivering platelet concentrations exceeding 4 million per application, ensure reproducibility, sterility, and clinical safety. Standardization is critical for achieving predictable orthopedic outcomes across different patient profiles.
PRP therapy represents a paradigm shift in orthopedics—from symptom management to biological restoration—supporting sustainable recovery and functional longevity.
