Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has significantly evolved since its beginnings in hematology. Initially, doctors used PRP as a transfusion product to treat low platelet counts. Today, PRP is making waves across various medical fields, including orthopedics, dentistry, aesthetics, and more. This therapy harnesses the regenerative power of platelets to aid in tissue repair and healing. However, like all medical treatments, PRP comes with potential side effects.
How PRP Works
PRP is a concentrated form of autologous blood, packed with platelets that release growth factors, cytokines, and bioactive proteins. These molecules actively support tissue repair and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. The broad application of PRP therapy—from treating osteoarthritis to enhancing wound healing—demonstrates its versatility and effectiveness. Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), the second generation of PRP, builds on this foundation and is increasingly used for tissue regeneration.
Potential Side Effects of PRP Therapy
Despite its widespread use and success, PRP therapy does come with risks. A June 2024 review published in Regen Therapy examined the global literature on PRP side effects. The review identified several potential side effects, including:
- Infections: While infections after PRP injections are rare, they can occur. Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, it is unlikely to introduce an infection unless the patient has an active septic infection during the procedure. Staphylococcus aureus, a common skin bacterium, has been linked to infections in PRP cases, suggesting that contamination during preparation or administration may be the cause.
- Inflammation: PRP injections can trigger inflammation, as seen in cases of shoulder impingement syndrome and jumper’s knee. For instance, a diabetic patient developed a local inflammatory reaction after PRP treatment. Although the exact cause remained unclear, the physician attributed it to PRP.
- Blindness: In two rare cases in Malaysia and Venezuela, PRP injections mistakenly entered the ophthalmic artery, leading to blindness. These tragic outcomes resulted from injector error.
- Allergic Reactions: A 14-year-old boy developed an allergic reaction to the anticoagulant in the PRP tubes. His reaction, which manifested as a rash, was self-limiting, and he had no prior history of allergies.
- Nodules in Sarcoidosis Patients: PRP has been linked to granulomas in patients with active sarcoidosis, especially when used in anti-aging treatments. However, researchers have not definitively proven a direct causal relationship between PRP injections and nodule formation in these patients.
- Serum Sickness: A 41-year-old woman with an autoimmune disease developed serum sickness after receiving PRP injections. She experienced symptoms such as wheals, arthralgias, fatigue, and fever, which led to the diagnosis.
- Other Rare Cases: PRP injections have been linked to a gout flare-up in a patient with a history of gout, as well as a case of herpes zoster in a woman, likely triggered by the stress of the procedure.
Although many regard PRP as a safe and effective regenerative treatment, it’s important to recognize that, like any medical intervention, it carries risks.
What to Consider Before PRP Treatment
Before undergoing PRP therapy, ask your healthcare provider these important questions:
- What are the potential side effects of this procedure?
- Who will be performing the treatment, and what are their qualifications?
- What PRP kit will be used, and has it been subject to any safety recalls?
- Is the PRP kit FDA-approved?
- Is the centrifugation process single or double spin, and how do they manage contamination risks?
- What are the specific risks if I have an autoimmune disease?
- Should I take any precautions if I have a history of herpes or gout?
For more information on PRP side effects, check out the 2019 article “Allergic Reaction to Platelet Rich Plasma,” published in Medicine, which details a case of allergic reaction to PRP. Read the study here.
Juventix Regenerative Medical: A Leader in Safe and Effective PRP Therapy
Juventix Regenerative Medical is an industry leader in regenerative medicine, offering FDA-cleared PRP kits designed for safety, sterility, and effectiveness. We scientifically manufacture our PRP kits to produce a platelet concentrate devoid of red blood cells, with minimal leukocytes essential for the regenerative process.
Juventix also provides an LED Activator to safely activate platelets and initiate the regenerative process. This activation method promotes sustained growth factor release without the use of chemical additives. Additionally, Juventix offers a Bio-Incubator that transforms PRP into injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), providing enhanced anti-inflammatory properties for treating inflammatory conditions.
For more information about Juventix Regenerative Medical’s products and services, visit our official website.
References:
- “Allergic Reaction to Platelet Rich Plasma,” Medicine (2019). PMID: 30855461
- “Platelet Rich Plasma Injections and the Development of Cutaneous Sarcoid Lesions: A Case Report,” JAAD Case Reports (2020). PMID: 32258318
- “Irreversible Blindness Following Periocular Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Skin Rejuvenation Treatment,” Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2017). PMID: 27015236
- “Adverse Events Related to Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy and Future Issues to be Resolved,” Regen Therapy(2024). PMID: 39100535
- “First Presentation of Polyarticular Gout Secondary to Platelet Rich Plasma Injection: A Case Report,” Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (2023). PMID: 36999907
