Stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be used as effective treatment methods for various orthopedic injuries and conditions. These two types of therapy present unique individual benefits and vary in preparation, procedure, and performance. However, both have remarkable osteogenic potential and may be used in combination to boost treatment success.

Below, you’ll find three proven examples of how stem cell and PRP therapy can, in combination, produce successful results as a treatment method.

Increase Regeneration Success

The use of stem cells and PRP therapy, together in regenerative treatments, may increase effectiveness when compared to one treatment method used alone. Specifically, studies reveal that when PRP is used with bone marrow as a stem-cell source, the two work cooperatively to advance regeneration.

Therefore, patients seeking regenerative orthopedic treatment for injuries to the tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles may benefit from a combination PRP-stem cell treatment. This can also be a strategy for treating osteoarthritis.

Enhance Wound Healing

PRP and stem cell therapy, used in conjunction, may lead to better wound healing. PRP creates the appropriate conditions for mesenchymal cells to regenerate and differentiate. This process can speed up wound restoration and, in turn, shorten rehab times for patients.

Additionally, improved wound healing will make for lessened pain throughout the treatment process. Given that patients who undergo both PRP and stem cell therapies report tolerable pain levels(PRP therapy has a sensation similar to a flu shot, while stem cell therapy is said to simply feel like added pressure), this may be an attractive treatment option for many individuals.

Improve Post-Treatment Discomfort and Function

The benefits of combining stem cell and PRP therapy may be observed in a study of the treatment for osteonecrosis of the hip. This treatment method used both stem cell and PRP therapy, more specifically the injection of mesenchymal stem cells taken from bone marrow. The study showed that the treatment method reduced pain and difficulty with daily tasks in patients, and over 90% of the hips withstood at least two years without collapse.

These findings may be translated to the potential for overall positive results from combining stem cell and PRP therapy in patients with hip, knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, and elbow injuries.

Stem cell and PRP therapy each have distinct advantages . But, in combination, these therapies may complement each other to provide patients with greater treatment success and shorter recovery periods.