The popularity of plasma-based treatments has increased considerably in the last ten years, and many doctors are recommending these treatments as an alternative to surgery, particularly to manage pain. There are two similar names in plasma-based treatments – platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Wondering what is platelet poor plasma? In this post, we are discussing the differences between both with aspects that you need to know.

The basics

You need to understand that plasma-based treatments rely on components that are derived from your own blood. The blood is drawn from the patient, placed in a centrifuge to separate all components – RBCs or red blood cells, WBCs or white blood cells, platelets and plasma.  The solutions for PRP and PPP are created after the components have been separated, and the same blood sample can be used for both.

Understanding PRP

PRP or platelet rich plasma, as the name suggests, contains both platelets and plasma. This solution contains growth factors, which help in accelerating the process of healing. Platelets are responsible for controlling clotting and also release signals that helps the body to induce quick healing. PRP can be combined with stem cell therapy to achieve the best results. While PRP helps the injury and triggers healing, the stem cells accept these signals and evolve into the cells required to fix the injury and reduce the pain.

Understanding PPP

Platelet Poor Plasma, as the name suggests, doesn’t contain any platelets. In recent years, doctors have discovered that plasma, even within the platelets, may have some healing quality, and if used in combination with PRP and stem cell therapy, the results can be promising. Platelet Poor Plasma can be used for selected needs, such as “hydrodissection”. Damaged muscle tissues can be healed with this kind of treatment. For the longest time, Platelet Poor Plasma was not considered to be of any use, but now, the benefits are being discovered.

What’s better?

It is hard to decode or give a straight answer to what is better between the two plasma-based treatments. After considering your condition and discussing all possible aspects, your doctor will recommend diagnostic tests, and based on that, the right treatment will be recommended. Both platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have immense potential as far as treatment of injuries and minimizing pain is concerned, and with new-age stem cell treatment, the scope is huge.

You can check online to find more on platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).