The 'Plasma Gun"

ΠΛΑΣΜΑ ΠΛΟΥΣΙΟ ΣΕ ΑΙΜΟΠΕΤΑΛΙΑ (PRP).

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP). The body's natural response to injury is a complex and multifaceted process involving numerous cells aimed at healing.

Platelets are on the "front line" of trauma management, and their primary and most well-knownfunction is hemostasis. What is less. well-known to the public is that when platelets are activated at the site of injury, they release a multitude of bioproteins and factors that promote healing and the formation of new tissue to replace the damaged one in the area involved

This property of platelets led, after thorough study, to their use by various specialties (cardiac surgery, plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, dentistry) aiming at faster and more effective healing of both surgical and non-surgical wounds.

In Orthopedics, PRP is successfully used to treat soft tissue injuries located both inside and outside the joints. This technique has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and healing effects of platelets against microtrauma that lead to pain and inflammation in areas such as the elbow (epicondylitis or tennis elbow), the shoulder (periarthritis, tendinopathies, some rotator cuff tears), ankle sprains, wrist injuries, Achilles tendon tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.

In chronic degenerative conditions such as knee and shoulder osteoarthritis, PRP is a useful tool alongside classical pharmacological treatments, therapeutic exercise, hyaluronic acid, and corticosteroids as options for conservative management. In some studies, there are indications that PRP may potentially delay further cartilage degeneration during the course of arthritis, which naturally occurs after a certain age.

The process of a PRP session is relatively simple: the doctor or nurse draws blood from the patient, which is then centrifuged in a specialized machine for this purpose. Next, the fraction of the whole blood that contains the desired platelets is collected, and it is "activated" either with a simple chemical agent in minimal quantity or by using a specific wavelength of electromagnetic radiation to release the desired morphogenetic proteins and cytokines that promote healing. This solution is then collected and, under aseptic conditions, injected into the area of interest in each patient.

This procedure can be repeated if needed , depending on the protocol used, whithin 10-15 days

The main advantage of this method is that nothing more than the patient's own blood is used throughout the entire process, making any allergic or other reaction extremely unlikely. Blood collection, processing, and injection into the target tissue are performed under aseptic conditions in the office, and the patient can leave shortly afterward without any side effects.

In conclusion, PRP in the orthopedic practice is a proven method for treating chronic microtrauma and degeneration in tendons, ligaments, and joints, providing natural anti-inflammatory effects and the potential for faster healing, pain relief, and possibly delaying the natural degeneration of already strained tissue. It is an alternative option to conventional pharmaceutical practices, particularly for individuals who are taking multiple medications or prefer not to use pharmaceutical products.