%20(1).png)
Platelet Rich Plasma
In direct primary care, there is no one and nothing limiting the scope of your practice or the procedures you choose to provide other than your own training and comfort level (and maybe your malpractice insurance). One of the newer technologies that can be easily provided in the DPC setting (and at a profound savings) that has documented efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis is platelet rich plasma injections.
PRP is part of a promising new realm of regenerative medicine that has been referred to as orthobiologics. The physiologic efficacy of PRP therapy is based on the fact that the autologous use of platelet growth factors supports three phases of wound healing and repair (inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling). The following full text article gives a great synopsis of the understanding of the physiologic benefits. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7589810/
PRP has been adopted widely for use by orthopedists and sports medicine clinics and because it is not covered by insurance has been a lucrative cash based procedure for fee for service physicians with many clinics charging $750-$1,000 for PRP injections. Direct primary care physicians are in a unique position to offer this promising therapy to patients at significantly less cost to the patient while still being a profitable procedure to incorporate into their scope of practice.
The most well supported use of PRP in the literature is for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. In this application it has even been shown superior to intra-articular corticosteroids. However, the use of PRP has expanded to a variety of other burgeoning applications that can be utilized in the primary care setting including treatment of other joints, tendinopathies, wound healing, and cosmetic procedures. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a related biologic preparation that shows promise in wound healing and hair regrowth applications.
- Overview of PRP for skin rejuvenation - ie: Vampire facials and intradermal injections https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8182581/
- Overview of PRF for wound healing - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965206X21000656?via%3Dihub
One of the difficulties with the universal application and acceptance of PRP is the lack of a consensus in preparation methods. This has contributed to inconsistencies in PRP therapies, with enormous differences in PRP formulation, specimen quality, and, thus, clinical outcomes. Additionally, different formulations of PRP, such as leukocyte rich or poor preparations, are better for different applications.
The variability of specimen preparation methods highlights the need for working with a supplier that allows you to obtain high quality product on a consistent basis. Several options are on the market with the following links available to companies that other DPC doctors have utilized.
Ensodoctors - A veteran owned company based out of Manhattan, KS with educational materials online and in person training available to utilize their collection kits for PRP and PRF. It deserves to be said that EnsoDoctors has been a company that not only provides quality collection kits and education but wholeheartedly supports the direct primary care movement and offers discounts to DPCA members.
- https://ensodoctors.com/
They also offer free PRP to veterans through their “Shots for Soldiers” program.
https://shotsforsoldiers.org/ - Arthrex - Based out of Florida with large online compendium of educational materials with in person training available and nationwide network of product representatives. https://www.arthrex.com/representation-finder
The content of this page is restricted to active members.
If you are an active member please log in. If you have recently applied for membership, please allow staff 3-5 days to review your application. Otherwise, if you feel you are reaching this by mistake, email hello@dpcalliance.org for assistance.
Platelet Rich Plasma
In direct primary care, there is no one and nothing limiting the scope of your practice or the procedures you choose to provide other than your own training and comfort level (and maybe your malpractice insurance). One of the newer technologies that can be easily provided in the DPC setting (and at a profound savings) that has documented efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis is platelet rich plasma injections.
PRP is part of a promising new realm of regenerative medicine that has been referred to as orthobiologics. The physiologic efficacy of PRP therapy is based on the fact that the autologous use of platelet growth factors supports three phases of wound healing and repair (inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling). The following full text article gives a great synopsis of the understanding of the physiologic benefits. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7589810/
PRP has been adopted widely for use by orthopedists and sports medicine clinics and because it is not covered by insurance has been a lucrative cash based procedure for fee for service physicians with many clinics charging $750-$1,000 for PRP injections. Direct primary care physicians are in a unique position to offer this promising therapy to patients at significantly less cost to the patient while still being a profitable procedure to incorporate into their scope of practice.
The most well supported use of PRP in the literature is for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. In this application it has even been shown superior to intra-articular corticosteroids. However, the use of PRP has expanded to a variety of other burgeoning applications that can be utilized in the primary care setting including treatment of other joints, tendinopathies, wound healing, and cosmetic procedures. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a related biologic preparation that shows promise in wound healing and hair regrowth applications.
- Overview of PRP for skin rejuvenation - ie: Vampire facials and intradermal injections https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8182581/
- Overview of PRF for wound healing - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965206X21000656?via%3Dihub
One of the difficulties with the universal application and acceptance of PRP is the lack of a consensus in preparation methods. This has contributed to inconsistencies in PRP therapies, with enormous differences in PRP formulation, specimen quality, and, thus, clinical outcomes. Additionally, different formulations of PRP, such as leukocyte rich or poor preparations, are better for different applications.
The variability of specimen preparation methods highlights the need for working with a supplier that allows you to obtain high quality product on a consistent basis. Several options are on the market with the following links available to companies that other DPC doctors have utilized.
Ensodoctors - A veteran owned company based out of Manhattan, KS with educational materials online and in person training available to utilize their collection kits for PRP and PRF. It deserves to be said that EnsoDoctors has been a company that not only provides quality collection kits and education but wholeheartedly supports the direct primary care movement and offers discounts to DPCA members.
- https://ensodoctors.com/
They also offer free PRP to veterans through their “Shots for Soldiers” program.
https://shotsforsoldiers.org/ - Arthrex - Based out of Florida with large online compendium of educational materials with in person training available and nationwide network of product representatives. https://www.arthrex.com/representation-finder