Platelets and stem cells work in unison – together, they heal diseases and injuries in our bodies. Some medical teams have the option of offering you both regenerative treatments, depending on your condition. If you’re wondering – which is better, PRP or stem cell therapy, you should know that there are some differences between these treatments. Let’s go over both so you know what to expect.
What Is PRP Treatment?
Concentrated platelets and serum are combined to create platelet-rich plasma or PRP. Growth factors abundant in platelets help to form a clot throughout an injury and speed up the healing and recovery process. In order to halt bleeding and activate growth factors in the wounded area to start a local healing response, the blood clot is created as a protective measure by the body. After a trauma, the blood clot releases growth factors at irregular intervals, attracting stem cells and generating new blood vessels to guarantee the area receives blood flow.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Compared to PRP therapy, stem cell treatment is a more sophisticated form of therapy. PRP therapy encourages the growth of healing-promoting substances in the damaged area. In addition to triggering the body’s repair response, which is what PRP does, stem cell therapy also boosts stem cell function for regeneration. Since it can repair damaged tissues, stem cell treatment is an excellent option for treating degenerative disorders, including arthritis, ligament or tendon tears, low back disc bulging owing to broken fibers, and other conditions. Both these solutions can help with physical therapy.
What Mechanisms of Action Do They Use?
By repairing your damage and controlling inflammation, stem cells and PRP efficiently reduce pain. They are both suitable treatments for a variety of rheumatological and musculoskeletal disorders, such as lupus, scleroderma, tendonitis, arthritis, and ligament injuries. While both PRP and stem cells work in unison to rebuild damaged parts of your body, they differ in some ways. What’s mostly different is the way they work and the advantages you receive from them.
PRP
Platelets will activate and accelerate the healing in your body, and through this process, they will release growth factors that trigger cellular healing activities. It can be done by injecting PRP into the injured tissue region. These growth factors can do the following:
- Start the formation of new blood vessels,
- Encourage the adjacent cells to begin the process of mending,
- Activate stem cells to treat the wound,
- Control inflammation,
- Protect all the healthy tissue,
- Create the matrix that triggers the growth of new tissues.
Stem Cells
On the other hand, adult stem cells thrive while they wait to be used to either replace or repair injured tissue. Although every type of stem cell can regenerate a variety of tissues, the majority are focused on particular tasks. For instance, hematopoietic stem cells will regenerate blood cells, and MSCs will rebuild muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fat, and skin.
The release of exosomes by stem cells aids in healing as well. Exosomes contain biochemical reactions which stimulate many healing processes. They can stimulate immune cell function, carry DNA or RNA, or trigger the release of growth factors. Exosomes can also be isolated and injected on their own, in combination with stem cells, PRP, or both.
Consult Your Surgeon and Find Out Which Is Better for You, PRP or Stem Cell Therapy
If you’re considering PRP or stem cell therapy for your condition, it’s best to speak with a certified surgeon at Luxe Foot Surgery, who can provide the most accurate advice tailored to your specific situation. Once the doctor has evaluated your health, they will be able to discuss the benefits and risks of each type of treatment and advise you on which would be best for your individual case.
It’s important to remember that both PRP and stem cell therapies have been proven effective in treating a variety of medical conditions, but it is important to choose the right one for you. So contact us today and make an appointment with our specialists.
FAQ
What Are the Disadvantages of PRP Treatment?
PRP treatment is still relatively new, and there are some potential drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is that the cost can be quite high.
What Is Better Than PRP?
PRP therapy is a great treatment option for many conditions and is often successful in helping people achieve their goals. However, there are other treatments available that may be more effective. For example, stem cell therapy will use the body’s own healing cells to repair damaged tissue and promote healing.
What Is Better Than Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is an effective and powerful treatment for a variety of medical conditions, but it isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone. Fortunately, there are alternatives that may be more appropriate depending on the individual situation. Alternatives include the use of regenerative medicine and biomaterials.
