What is PRP and why is it combined with my stem cells?

At Stem Cell Mexico, PRP is included in our joint treatments and applied together with the stem cells, because it adds a natural source of growth factors to the treated area and helps create a more favorable environment for the regenerative process. PRP can also be used on its own, or as a follow-up treatment in the months after your stem cell application, when your doctor considers it useful.

Many patients see "PRP" in their treatment proposal and wonder what it is, whether it hurts and why it is included. This guide explains how PRP is made, what it does, why it pairs well with mesenchymal stem cells and what to expect on treatment day.

What is platelet-rich plasma?

Your blood has two main parts: cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) and plasma, the liquid that carries them. Platelets are small cell fragments best known for helping blood clot. They also store a large number of proteins called growth factors, which signal the body to repair tissue.

PRP is plasma with a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. Because it comes from your own body, it is autologous, which means there is no risk of rejection from the PRP itself.

How PRP is prepared

The process is simple and is done during your visit:

1. Blood draw: a nurse takes a small sample of blood from your arm, similar to a routine laboratory test.
2. Centrifugation: the blood is placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins it at high speed. The spinning separates the blood into layers according to weight.
3. Collection: the layer rich in platelets is collected in sterile conditions.
4. Application: the PRP is applied in the treated area, together with the stem cells, under image guidance.

The whole preparation takes a short time and happens while you are already at the clinic.

What PRP does

When platelets are activated in a tissue, they release growth factors, including:

• PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor): supports cell growth and tissue repair.
• TGF-beta (transforming growth factor beta): participates in tissue remodeling and in the formation of connective tissue.
• VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor): supports the formation of small blood vessels.
• EGF and IGF-1: support cell proliferation and repair.

These signals help organize the local healing response. In joints and tendons, PRP is used to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

Why PRP is combined with stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells and PRP work in complementary ways:

• The stem cells act as signaling cells. They release factors that help regulate inflammation and support tissue repair, an effect described by researchers as paracrine.
• PRP adds a concentrated, natural source of growth factors directly to the treated area.

In the explanations we send to our patients, we describe it this way: while stem cells aim to support inflammation modulation and tissue repair, PRP acts as a complementary therapy that may enhance biological signaling and support the recovery of the treated area. The combination is designed to give the treated area both the cells and the signals that support their work.

PRP and stem cells: key differences

What the research says

PRP has been studied extensively in orthopedics and sports medicine.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a consensus paper on PRP in sports medicine in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which reviewed its biology and its use in muscle, tendon, ligament and cartilage conditions.
• The 2020 NBA Orthobiologics Consensus Statement, written by team physicians and researchers, reviewed PRP and other biologic therapies used in professional athletes and highlighted PRP as one of the most commonly used orthobiologic treatments in sports medicine.
• For knee osteoarthritis, randomized trials and meta-analyses have reported improvements in pain and function with PRP injections compared with some conventional injections. For MSC injections in knee osteoarthritis, a 2024 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation reported improvements in pain and function in many of the included studies.
• PRP is also used in dermatology. The American Academy of Dermatology lists platelet-rich plasma among the treatment options that dermatologists may use for some types of hair loss.

Results vary between patients, depending on factors such as the stage of the condition, age, body weight and activity level.

Which treatments include PRP?

• Joint treatments: PRP is included in our joint treatments for knees, hips, shoulders, ankles, elbows, wrists and other joints, applied with the stem cells under ultrasound guidance.
• Other targeted applications: your doctor may recommend PRP in other local applications, such as some tendon or soft tissue treatments.
• Erectile dysfunction protocols: our treatment plans for erectile dysfunction usually combine stem cells with PRP.
• IV infusions: PRP is not part of an IV infusion. It is used in targeted applications.

PRP on its own

PRP can also be offered as a standalone treatment. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, and most patients return home the same day. One to three sessions are commonly recommended depending on the condition. In some cases, after reviewing your MRI, the doctor may consider PRP alone the most appropriate option for your condition, and your advisor will send you a separate quote.

PRP can also be used as a follow-up in the months after a stem cell application, if your doctor considers it helpful for your recovery.

What to expect on treatment day

• Blood draw: a quick, routine sample.
• Comfort: a local anesthetic in the treated area, and sedation when indicated, keep you comfortable during the injection.
• Injection: the PRP and stem cells are applied under ultrasound guidance in joints, or fluoroscopy in the spine.
• After the procedure: some soreness, swelling or a feeling of fullness in the joint is common for a few days. This is part of the normal inflammatory response to the injection.

You will spend a night at our facilities under nursing and medical monitoring, and you will receive written aftercare instructions before discharge.

How to prepare

Some medications can affect platelet function. Your doctor will give you specific instructions, but in general:

• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, are often paused for some days before and after the procedure, unless your doctor indicates otherwise. Never stop a prescribed medication, especially a blood thinner, without speaking with the doctor who prescribed it.
• Some supplements that affect bleeding, such as high-dose fish oil, vitamin E or ginkgo, may also be paused.
• Corticosteroid injections near the treated area should be discussed with the doctor, since timing matters.
• Drink enough water the day before the blood draw.

Is PRP safe?

Because PRP is made from your own blood, there is no risk of an allergic or rejection reaction to the PRP itself. As with any injection, there can be temporary pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site, and there is a small risk of infection, which is minimized by sterile technique and image guidance. Your doctor will review your medical history and laboratory results before recommending it.

Who may not be a candidate?

The doctor will evaluate your case. PRP may not be recommended in some situations, such as certain blood or platelet disorders, active infection in the treated area, some cancers or significant anemia. This is one of the reasons why we perform laboratory tests on your arrival day.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Is PRP included in my treatment plan, and in which areas?
• Do I need to pause any medication or supplement before the procedure?
• Would PRP sessions after my stem cell treatment be useful in my case?
• What activities should I avoid after the injection?

Bottom line

PRP is a concentrate of platelets prepared from your own blood. It provides growth factors that support tissue healing and help create a favorable environment for the stem cells. At Stem Cell Mexico, PRP is included in our joint treatments, and it can also be used on its own or as a follow-up. Results vary between patients and no treatment can promise a specific outcome. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.