What is PRP?
PRP stands for “Platelet Rich Plasma,” or blood plasma with concentrated platelet content. Platelets are developed from stem cells in the bone marrow. As they come into contact with the damaged collagen and endothelial cells, a fibrin clot forms and growth factors are recruited and released. Two are of particular interest in dealing with orthopaedic injuries due to their roles in recruiting connective tissue, matrix formation, and overall tissue healing: Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β).

How is PRP used to treat injuries?
PRP enhancement is a method of concentrating a patient’s own (autologous) growth factors from the bloodstream to be used for tissue healing. It is indicated in settings where tissue healing requires augmentation, such as cartilage repair, complex meniscal repair, complex ligament repair, or complex tendon repair.

During a surgical procedure, a small amount of the patient’s own blood is drawn (30-60cc). Blood platelets are separated and concentrated using a Magellan Autologous Platelet Separator System (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). By using an autologous source of PRP, bloodborne disease transmission is avoided.

What are we pursuing?
The Stone Clinic in conjunction with the Stone Research Foundation studies the ability of PRP to augment the rate of healing in meniscus transplantation, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and articular cartilage repair.

Fig 1. Platelets are separated and concentrated using Magellan PRP isolation system.	Fig 2. Concentrated PRP is spun from a blood sample.
Fig 3. Concentrated PRP is injected into the knee after a meniscus allograft transplantation.	Fig 4. Concentrated PRP is added to an articular cartilage paste graft.