What Is PRP Therapy? A Physician’s Look at Efficacy, Composition, and Clinical Fit

Orthopedic injections and steroid regimens have long been the backbone of conservative care, but many of us in clinical practice know the story too well—results are short-lived, recurrence is common, and patient satisfaction often stalls. So, what is PRP therapy actually offering in contrast?

This post isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a grounded discussion for medical professionals evaluating whether platelet-rich plasma fits their patient population and practice model.

The Disconnect Between PRP Hype and Clinical Reality

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is not new. What’s new is the precision with which we can now isolate and deliver therapeutic components from blood.

Early-generation systems lacked consistency. Preparation protocols varied widely. And perhaps more importantly, the end product often contained high levels of inflammatory cells, defeating the purpose of using biologics for repair and recovery.

If you're hesitant, you're not alone. Many physicians associate PRP therapy with inconsistent outcomes. But the landscape is evolving—if you know what to look for in a system.

Understanding what is PRP therapy in a modern clinical context means looking beyond just “spinning blood” and focusing on the cellular components that truly support healing.

So, What Is PRP Therapy—Clinically Speaking? 

At its core, PRP therapy involves concentrating platelets from a patient’s own blood and injecting the resulting plasma into injured or degenerated tissue. The goal is to support a reparative process through localized delivery of growth factors, cytokines, and signaling proteins.

But what is PRP therapy when done well? It’s a treatment that relies not only on platelets but also on their surrounding environment—something older kits often failed to account for.

Clinical efficacy depends on:

• Platelet concentration
  

• Reduction in red blood cells (RBCs)
  

• Neutrophil content
  

• Presence of monocytes and lymphocytes
  

• Platelet activation methods (exogenous vs endogenous)

A common misconception is that PRP is simply “rich plasma” with more platelets. But excess neutrophils or residual RBCs can skew results. That’s where precision systems like Tropocells PRP bring clinical value—offering high platelet recovery while removing over 99% of RBCs and 95% of neutrophils.

Indications: Where PRP Fits in Musculoskeletal Practice

While evidence continues to grow, the strongest data currently supports PRP therapy use in:

• Tendinopathies (e.g., lateral epicondylitis, patellar tendinosis)
  

• Osteoarthritis (especially mild to moderate knee OA)
  

• Soft tissue injuries (muscle tears, ligament sprains)
  

• Post-surgical healing (rotator cuff repairs, ACL reconstructions)
  
  

These are not theoretical applications—they’re use cases backed by peer-reviewed studies and increasingly standardized protocols.

For patients hesitant about surgery or poor candidates for corticosteroids, PRP therapy can offer a reparative alternative. That doesn’t mean it’s magic—but it does mean more tools for us as providers.

The Biology Behind It: What Actually Makes PRP Work?

The therapeutic mechanism of PRP therapy relies on concentrated platelet-derived growth factors, such as:

• PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)
  

• VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)
  

• TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta)
  

• EGF (epidermal growth factor)
  
  

These molecules stimulate cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and matrix remodeling—processes necessary for healing tendons, cartilage, and connective tissue. Additionally, leukocyte-poor PRP has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory signaling, making it preferable for intra-articular injections.

The catch? Your system needs to deliver consistent quality—or the biology becomes a coin toss.

The Workflow Question: Does PRP Therapy Disrupt Clinical Efficiency?

Not if your kit supports it.

Time and workflow integration are frequent concerns. Some physicians avoid in-office biologics because they remember earlier systems that were clunky or time-consuming. Fortunately, newer technologies have streamlined the process.

For example, closed-loop PRP systems like Tropocells allow for:

• Single-spin preparation
  

• Minimal handling (reducing contamination risk)
  

• High recovery with automated separation
  

• Compatibility with small centrifuges (saving space and cost)
  
  

In a typical outpatient setting, the full draw-to-injection process can take 15–20 minutes. That means PRP therapy can be offered efficiently—even in a busy practice—without adding unnecessary burden on clinical staff.

The Patient Conversation: Setting Appropriate Expectations

One of the most important steps in incorporating PRP therapy is transparent patient education. While studies support pain reduction and function improvement in various orthopedic conditions, patients must understand that:

• It is not a cure
  

• Results may take several weeks
  

• Repeat treatments may be necessary
  

• Not every patient is a candidate
  
  

These conversations are essential to prevent dissatisfaction and to protect the integrity of biologic care within your practice.

What to Watch Out for When Selecting a PRP System

Choosing a system goes beyond cost or brand reputation. From a physician standpoint, you should be asking:

• What’s the platelet recovery percentage?
  

• Does it minimize RBC and neutrophil contamination?
  

• Is the process reproducible across patients and staff?
  

• How does it fit into my existing clinical workflow?
  

• Does it come with peer-reviewed data or only marketing claims?
  
  

The future of biologic adoption depends on consistency. If your outcomes vary from patient to patient, it’s not necessarily the therapy—it might be the kit.

This is where understanding what is PRP therapy in both its promise and limitations can guide smarter implementation.

The Business Side: Is PRP Financially Viable?

Let’s address the economic angle head-on.

Yes, PRP therapy is a cash-based service, as most insurance plans still don’t cover it. But that doesn’t make it inaccessible or impractical. Many practices find that patients are willing to pay for well-explained, minimally invasive treatments—especially when it’s clearly presented as part of a stepwise plan of care.

Clinics that succeed with PRP typically:

• Offer bundles or packages to increase retention
  

• Combine PRP with rehab protocols to optimize outcomes
  

• Integrate it into existing visit workflows without extending visit length
  
  

With the right system and structure, PRP can support both clinical and financial sustainability.

Final Thoughts: Is PRP Worth Adding to Your Practice?

If you're still asking what is PRP therapy, the better question might be: Is it clinically and operationally viable for my patients and team?

For many orthopedic, sports medicine, and pain management clinics, the answer is increasingly yes—when it's done precisely, predictably, and with clarity.

You don’t need to overhaul your protocols. You need a system that’s built for clinical reality, not just lab specs.

Ready to Explore PRP With Clinical Confidence?

Accretion Portal supplies PRP kits, centrifuges, and accessories designed for reliable, in-practice preparation of platelet-rich plasma.
View our product catalog or contact us to ensure system compatibility with your clinical protocols.