Platelet rich plasma (or PRP as it is called) is the “treatment du jour” for many soft tissue injuries since being mentioned as the technique that allowed Hines Ward to play in the Super Bowl. Before stating specifically what PRP is, I will discuss the rationale behind its use. Wound healing is a complex staged process that involves a number of cells. The first event during injury is bleeding followed by tissue regeneration. There are three distinct stages of tissue regeneration. These include: inflammation, proliferation (multiplication) of cells, and tissue remodeling. Initially in the laboratory, scientists discovered a technique to initiate and accelerate tissue regeneration. They found that an autologous (from the self) platelet concentrate was filled with growth and healing factors. First used in animal models, this treatment was then used in human subjects with success. What was found was that there was a minimal number of platelets required to make this technique work. While acai berry diet the average platelet count in a normal human being is about 200,000/mm, the amount in a standard platelet concentrate used for PRP is about 1,000,000/mm or more. PRP is collected by drawing a 20-60 cc volume of blood, then concentrating it in a special centrifuge. The total volume of fluid containing the platelets is approximately five cc. The platelets within the PRP release growth factors over 7 days. Lesser platelet concentrations or platelets that aren’t viable (living and working) will not enhance wound healing. Platelets contain what are called “alpha granules” that are packed with growth factors. These bioactive growth factors both start as well as accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at the wound site. These growth factors include: adhesion molecules, fibrinogen, interleukin-1 beta, platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. When the PRP is administered to the wound site, it needs to be activated.