What is PRP and how does it work?
PRP is obtained by taking a small amount of the patient’s blood and centrifuging it using a dedicated kit, which separates and concentrates the platelets and plasma from the other blood components. The resulting concentrate, rich in platelet growth factors, is then injected into the affected area. There are several PRP formulations, which differ primarily in their leukocyte content (from pure platelet-rich plasma, P-PRP, to preparations also rich in leukocytes, L-PRF), with partially different biological properties depending on the clinical indication.
The regulatory framework in Italy
In Italy, autologous PRP is classified as a blood component for non-transfusion use (EuNT) and its production outside of transfusion services is regulated by the Ministerial Decree of 2 November 2015 (“Blood Decree”): Article 20 establishes that the production of EuNT can take place in public or private healthcare facilities, accredited or non-accredited, under an agreement with the local healthcare authority where the reference transfusion service operates.
This section is intended to provide general information on the applicable regulatory framework.
Clinical indications
Orthopedics: knee and hip osteoarthritis
According to the third edition (June 2024) of the National Blood Center’s technical document on the therapeutic indications for EuNT, intra-articular PRP injections for mild to moderate knee and hip osteoarthritis (corresponding to grades 1-3 of the Kellgren-Lawrence classification) are supported by a grade 1B recommendation (strong recommendation, with clear evidence of the risk-benefit ratio). Symptomatic benefits are generally expected within 6-12 months of treatment.
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: Tendinopathies
PRP is also used in the treatment of chronic tendinopathies such as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), patellar tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy. The most recent literature (2024-2025) shows encouraging but mixed results: some studies document a superior benefit compared to other treatments in the short term (1-6 months), while the differences often tend to diminish in the medium-long term; the quality of the available evidence remains uneven across different tendon sites.
Dermatology and trichology: androgenetic alopecia
PRP is also used as a non-surgical treatment for androgenetic alopecia, with the aim of stimulating hair follicle activity. The most recent systematic reviews (2024-2025) report improvements in hair density and thickness in a significant portion of studies, but point to low to moderate quality of evidence, a significant risk of bias, and high heterogeneity in the preparation and application protocols used across studies.
Wound Management: Chronic Skin Ulcers
Autologous PRP is also used in the treatment of chronic skin ulcers (venous, diabetic), where the literature documents an improvement in the formation of granulation tissue that supports the healing process, in association with advanced dressings and overall clinical management of the wound.
How the treatment is carried out
- Taking a small amount of venous blood from the patient
- Centrifugation using a dedicated kit, CE certified as a medical device, to separate and concentrate platelets and plasma
- Injection of the obtained concentrate into the area to be treated, in some cases under ultrasound guidance for greater precision
- Scheduling, when indicated, of a cycle of multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart
Safety and contraindications
Since it is an autologous product (obtained from the patient’s own blood), the risk of allergic or immune reactions is low. However, the treatment requires a preliminary clinical evaluation, as it is contraindicated or should be considered with caution in the presence of:
- Thrombocytopenia or severe coagulopathies
- Active systemic infection or local infection at the site to be treated
- Anticoagulant therapy in progress, to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- Known hematological malignancies
- Pregnancy, to be evaluated with particular caution
Before treatment, a specific informed consent is obtained, which outlines the expected benefits, common side effects (transient pain/swelling at the injection site), and the limitations of the scientific evidence available for the specific indication.
An integrated path in AlleviO₃
PRP treatment is offered in conjunction with other areas of the center, in particular:
- Outpatient Orthopedics and Pain Medicine, for joint and tendon indications
- Manual therapies, for the accompanying rehabilitation path
- Dermatology, for trichological indications
- General Surgery and Nursing Clinic, for the management of chronic wounds
- Outpatient Radiology (ultrasound), for ultrasound guidance of the injection when indicated
When to see a specialist
- Chronic joint pain from mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee or hip
- Chronic tendinopathies (epicondylitis, patellar tendon, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon) not resolved with conservative treatment
- Hair thinning or loss consistent with androgenetic alopecia
- Chronic, slow-healing skin wounds or ulcers
PRP is not indicated in the presence of an active infection at the site to be treated, serious coagulation disorders, or known hematological neoplasms: its indication must always be evaluated by a specialist on a case-by-case basis, in light of the overall clinical picture.
An autologous therapeutic resource, to be customized for the individual patient
AlleviO₃ proposes PRP as a therapeutic option based on available evidence, with attention to the correct clinical indication and the relevant regulatory framework.
Scientific references
