PRP therapy uses a concentration of a patient's own platelets, prepared by centrifuging their blood, to accelerate the healing of injured tissues. The concentrated growth factors are injected into a target area to reduce inflammation and enhance cellular repair, which is relevant to healthspan by maintaining musculoskeletal function and skin integrity.
Verdict
A targeted, experimental therapy for specific joint or skin repair.
HEALTHSPAN IMPACT
Experimental
RISK LEVEL
Low
EVIDENCE GRADE
B
MONTHLY COST
$500 - $2500
Protocol
- A series of 1-3 injections into a target tissue (e.g., joint, scalp, skin) spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
- Maintenance treatments may be performed annually or as needed based on clinical response.
Flags
- Efficacy is highly dependent on the preparation protocol and individual patient factors.
- Not standardized; centrifuge systems and platelet concentrations vary widely between clinics.
- Avoid NSAIDs before and after the procedure as they can inhibit platelet function.
- Contraindicated for individuals with bleeding disorders, active infections, or certain cancers.
- Typically considered an elective, out-of-pocket expense by insurance providers.