For patients
PRP
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared in the clinic from a small sample of your own blood.
How PRP is made
A clinician draws a small amount of your blood and spins it in a centrifuge. That separates the platelets, which are then concentrated in a small volume of plasma and used during the same visit.
What the FDA regulates
PRP itself is not an FDA-approved drug. The kits and centrifuges used to prepare it are regulated as medical devices, and many of the ways clinics use PRP are off-label. Your physician decides whether it is appropriate for you.
Not a cell or exosome product
PRP comes from your own blood. It is not a stem cell product and it is not an exosome product, though patients often ask about all three together.
Questions to ask your doctor
Bring these to the appointment. A good practice will answer them plainly.
- Which system will be used to prepare my PRP?
- Is the use you are recommending cleared by the FDA, or off-label?
- How many treatments are typical, and what do they cost?
Find a partner doctor near you
Search by zip code. You contact the practice yourself; Encompass does not book procedures.
This page is general education, not medical advice. Only a licensed physician can say whether a therapy fits your care.