What is platelet lysate (PL)?
You may have heard of platelet-rich-plasma or PRP, which is created by concentrating blood platelets from whole blood and then injecting them into areas of damaged tissue. Platelet lysate (PL) is similarly created by concentrating platelets from whole blood, but with additional processing, we are able to create an even more pure and concentrated growth factor serum that can be used for healing damaged tissue - this is platelet lysate.
Platelets are normally found in your blood and involved in the healing cascade. They contain growth factors and help initiate clotting if you are injured. Platelets can be thought of as the signaling factories of the body. Once there is an area of damage (ie a cut), platelets adhere to that damaged area and initiate a complex cascade to help stop bleeding and begin healing the area. PRP is thought to work by slowly releasing growth factors over approximately one week. Similar to a timed-release medication, these growth factors help to promote cell signaling and in turn, improved regeneration of tissue and cell-turnover. Similarly, platelet lysate works like an immediate release medication. Through our lab processing, we are able to remove the outer coating of the platelet (lyse them) and are left with the concentrated growth factors inside. In our experience, while PRP can cause inflammation, PL is very anti-inflammatory and can be used more easily around nerves and delicate structures.
By concentrating PL, we are able to effectively treat nerve related conditions in the spine safely and effectively. Indications for platelet lysate include PL epidural injections and PL hydrodissection around peripheral nerves. Additionally, when platelet lysate is incorporated into stem cell procedures, research has shown that the high concentration of growth factors promotes additional stem cell proliferation.
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Who is a candidate for Platelet Lysate?
Platelet lysate is used extensively in our Regenexx treatments. Usually platelet lysate (PL) is used with any nerve related pathology. If you suffer from herniated discs with compression of the spinal nerves, we are able to use platelet lysate in place of steroids in our epidural injections. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, PL is able to offer pain relief and promote healing of the damaged nerves and surrounding structures. Additionally, PL is used for hydrodissection of peripheral nerves. These are generally ultrasound guided procedures where we are able to infiltrate PL around peripheral nerves (radial, median, ulnar, sciatic, etc) to help mitigate pain and inflammation.
How is a Platelet Lysate procedure performed?
Platelet lysate procedures are performed very similarly to platelet-rich-plasma procedures. We first draw blood from the patient and then process the blood product to concentrate the platelets, much like we do for PRP. For PL, there is additional processing where we remove the outer layers (lyse) the platelets to expose the concentrated growth factors inside. Next, we filter this solution to remove any of the debris from the lysed platelets, and we are left with a pure growth factor rich serum that is highly anti-inflammatory and safe to be injected around the delicate nerves of our body. All of our procedures involving platelet lysate are performed in our AAAASF certified office based surgical suite using live x-ray and/or ultrasound imaging guidance.
If you are interested in learning more about our platelet lysate procedures, please make an appointment to see one of our Regenexx providers today. Ospina Medical is located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Please contact our office to learn more about your treatment options.