According to the The American Journal of Sports Medicine injecting platelet-rich plasma is already very common among athletes suffering from sports injuries.
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from one’s own blood and contains growth factors and bioactive proteins that can positively influence the healing and regeneration of muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. Platelet-rich plasma might be able to reduce the surgeries with their downtimes for professional athletes.
What a surprise that more and more athletes are turning to platelet-rich plasma injections to enhance healing after trauma and injury to both stem cell and PRP injections to try to avoid the uncertainty and down time associated with surgery. PRP is easily derived from blood serum and can be used in both aesthetic and therapeutic medicine. PRP can be used for skin rejuvenation and hair growth therapy too.
Said to be even more efficacious is the injection of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the body’s own adipose tissue (Stromal Vascular Fraction, SVF). Meanwhile a lot of athletes are profiting from this treatment, which only requires a minor liposuction of some 20 to 50 milliliters of body fat, something even the most athletic body would provide.
Unlike blood doping, platelet-rich plasma as well as stem cells are legal for use in athletes. In 2011, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed platelet-rich plasma from its list of banned substances. Growth factors from one’s own blood as well as stem cells from one’s own fat are for enhancing performance, they are for promoting healing.
DDr. Heinrich, MD