Joint & spine · 5 min read
PRP vs. Cell Therapy: What's the Difference?
Two very different approaches that often get lumped together, and how to talk to a provider about each.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from your own blood. It is spun to concentrate platelets, which carry growth factors, and injected into the area being treated. 'Cell therapy' is a broader label that can mean many different products, and the rules around them are strict.
PRP vs. cell therapy in one minute
Advisory board physician · 60 sec
PRP
PRP has been studied in knee osteoarthritis and tendon problems. Trial results are mixed, partly because preparation methods vary from clinic to clinic . A provider can tell you whether you are a reasonable candidate.
Cell-based products
In the U.S., human cell and tissue products are regulated by the FDA, and most products marketed as 'stem cell treatments' are not FDA-approved . Ask any clinic exactly what product it uses and what its regulatory status is.
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