What is the Difference Between PRP Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy?

‍What is the difference between PRP and Stem Cell Therapy? Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy are both non-invasive procedures with excellent potential to heal injuries. While platelet rich plasma uses highly concentrated platelets from the patient’s own body to heal injuries, stem cells are drawn from the patient’s fat tissue or bone marrow.

What is PRP? Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a revolutionary new treatment that relieves pain by promoting long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions using the healing power of your own body. Nucci Medical is proud to offer PRP therapy to our injured patients. Platelets are the first cells that respond to the site of an injury. When there, they release “platelet factors” which send signals to the rest of the body that there is an injury. Then, other cells go to the site of the injury to begin the healing process. These cells include various white blood cells and stem cells. This natural healing process can be concentrated down into PRP or “platelet rich plasma” by drawing a small tube of a patient’s own blood and spinning it down to concentrate the platelet factors that start the healing process into concentrated PRP. This PRP is the body’s own healing process in concentrated form and can be injected into areas of injury, such as the joints of the knee and shoulder or painful muscle to speed the healing process. You can think of platelets and PRP as the “First Responders” to an accident/injury who access the situation, begin the recovery and call in the necessary backup.

What are stem cells? Stem cells are early precursor cells to all tissues in the body. There are various types of stem cells that are “committed” to make a certain type of body tissue. They still exist in certain places in the adult human body, such as in bone marrow and fat. This harvesting involves a small surgical procedure. They can be easily harvested and injected into an area of injury like PRP. Their exact mechanism of action is not fully understood; but they too release a variety of protein factors that stimulate the healing process and decrease inflammation. The idea that they themselves multiply and regrow tissue in the joint or muscle is probably not the case. They can be, however, a powerful stimulator to healing and reduction in inflammation pain. You can think of stem cells as the “Army Core of Engineers” who coordinate and direct various complex resources for repair and recovery.

‍How PRP and Stem Cells Work Together PRP and Stem cells can be given together for a combined effect, if needed. There are practical and clinical reasons to use one or both. PRP is easier to prepare and give and is often the first choice for acute soft tissue injuries in the muscles and joints. Chronic pain from an arthritic joint may respond better to combination therapy. The results of both these therapies is still being analyzed as well as when to use one versus the other or both together. Currently, PRP therapy overall has more clinical validation than stem cells and there is an actual CPT code for its use in the AMA guide. Clinical evaluation of a patient is important. Nucci Medical has experience with these injections for over a decade and can help guide patients to the best forms of treatment.

If you are considering PRP or stem cell therapy following a work or auto injury, call Nucci Medical to schedule your appointment with our board-certified spine surgeon, Dr. Robert Nucci.