Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) What PRP is and how it works to heal a multitude of injuries.
We could not be more excited and pleased to have purchased the ProVet® APC system. We look forward to being able to provide this service and helping your horse feel better and get back to work!
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a regenerative therapy used in horses to promote healing and tissue repair. It involves using the horse's own blood to create a concentrated solution of platelets, which are tiny cells in the blood that play a crucial role in the body's natural healing process.
Here's how it works:
Blood Collection: A small sample of blood is taken from the horse.
Processing: The blood is processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components, creating a platelet-rich plasma solution.
Injection: The concentrated PRP is then injected directly into the injured or affected area of the horse.
Why is PRP used?
Platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors and other bioactive substances that are essential for healing. When injected into an injured area, these growth factors stimulate:
Cell proliferation: Encouraging the growth of new cells.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels to improve blood supply to the injured area.
Tissue regeneration: Promoting the repair and rebuilding of damaged tissues.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a rapidly evolving treatment in animal and human medicine, with new applications constantly being discovered. It's proving valuable both as an adjunct to traditional therapies and in cases where those therapies have failed. Here are some common uses for PRP in horses:
Tendon and Ligament Injuries: These injuries are notoriously slow to heal due to limited blood supply. Poor healing can lead to scar tissue formation and increased risk of re-injury. PRP addresses this by delivering concentrated growth factors to the injury site, stimulating fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. This strengthens tendons and ligaments, reduces fibrosis and scarring, and helps prevent future injuries. PRP is typically injected directly into the affected area using small needles at multiple sites.
Osteoarthritis and Joint Injuries: PRP can be injected directly into joints affected by osteoarthritis, such as the shoulder, knee, and hock, to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Wound Healing: PRP accelerates the healing of wounds and open injuries compared to conventional methods. It's also used post-surgically to speed recovery and minimize proud flesh and scarring.
Other Uses: PRP is also being explored for preventing meniscus tears, treating bone lesions, and managing suspensory desmitis.
While PRP therapy is still being refined, current results are promising, offering a safe, natural, and effective treatment option for many equine injuries. If you'd like to discuss PRP treatment for your horse, please contact me.