Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM)

PRFM is a regenerative orthopedic technique that uses injections of a concentration of a patient's own platelets to assist with the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints.

Similar to PRP, PRFM injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.

Both PRP (Platelet-rich Plasma) and PRFM (Platelet-rich Ribrin Matrix) injections work the same way: By extracting the platelet concentration found in the bloodstream, they can be blended into a platelet concentrate that functions similarly to stem cells. By introducing these platelet growth factors into the scalp and other areas of the body, the solution can repair cartilage, treat hair loss, improve skin rejuvenation, and promote healing.

Compared to traditional PRP injections, a custom PRFM treatment will contain a higher concentration of platelets and growth factors for blood vessel repair, cellular regeneration, and new collagen formation. According to researchers, while PRP contains 5x platelets and growth factors, the same quantity of PRFM contains 10x these critical biological elements.

PRFM's unique platelet rich fibrin matrix also provides greater stability as the platelets are attached to the fibrin network and the growth factors get released more slowly compared to PRP. This allows you to have longer lasting results with just one PRFM treatment.

Owing to the high concentrations of growth factors, PRFM has been extensively used in musculoskeletal disorders to modulate progression of the inflammatory process and promote healing. Osteoarthritis is a main cause of musculoskeletal disabilities - Platelet-rich fibrin matrix could offer a more practical and accessible option of biological therapy for osteoarthritis compared to other biological therapies.

"While comparing PRF and PRP, the key advantages of PRF are easy manipulation, cost effectiveness, no biochemical handling of the patient's blood samples, supportive to the immune system, and relatively better wound healing potential due to a lower degree of polymerization. In addition, using the PRF involves lower risks than the PRP due to absence of bovine thrombin and anticoagulants and better efficiency for cell migration and proliferation. The PRF reduces patient's discomfort during early period of healing and can be used alone or in combination with various bone grafts. The fibrin matrix in the PRF is better organized, and thus it is more efficient in direct stem cell migration, bone healing, hemostasis, wound healing, and graft stabilization. Release of growth factors in vitro and in vivo results put forward the use of the PRF clinically. Dohan et al., through in vitro studies, showed that the PRF has better healing properties over the PRP. Similarly, Wiltfang et al. from different clinical trials have demonstrated that the PRF shows promising results over the PRP. A study by Kawamura and Urist reported that PRF works as a supportive matrix for carrying morphogenetic proteins.' [Deeb, Role of PRF and PRP in Oro-Facial Tissue Regeneration, Journal of Advanced Oral Research]