The 5-Steps Behind Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

Post-traumatic arthritis. Tennis elbow. Hamstring tear. These are a few of thesports injuries that doctors are treating with platelet-rich plasma injections.

ButPRP injections are also proving effective treatments for those who suffer from knee arthritis and other non-sports related injuries.

If youve been reading my posts for long youve no doubt heard me talk about PRP therapy and its relation to sports medicine. One thing Ive never done, however, is explain the steps behind an actual procedure. I want to take that time right now to do that.

Step One: Consultation

The very first thing I do with the patient is consult with them. We talk about the injury, the cause, the level of pain, the history. I want as much information as I possibly can.

As a side note: Usually at this stage I discover that this is a last-ditch effort for the patient. Theyve exhausted all other approaches and want to avoid surgery. See my final thoughts to see why this important.

Step Two: Draw Blood

Next we draw blood from the patient. Usually about 20 to 60 ccs.

Step Three: Spin the Blood

We then take that blood and put it into a centrifuge. Thatcentrifuge spins the blood, separating it into three different layers: the platelet-poor layer, the buffy coat (which contains the platelets and white blood cells) and the red blood cells. Its that middle layer that will be injected.

Step Four: Anesthetize the Injury Area

While the blood is being spun, our next step is to clean the sight and numb the area around the joint.

Step Five: Inject the Plasma

The final step consists of actually injecting the plasma into the injured area. We use an ultra sound machine to guide the needle to make sure we are injecting the fluid in the appropriate place.

The entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes. Its an in-office visit and patients can usually drive themselves to and from our clinic.

Is PRP Therapy Safe?

Yes, little evidence exists to definitely prove that plasma injections can have a positive impact on healing, but in my own work and many of my colleagues Ive seen tremendous outcomes.

Patients with six-week old injuries recover more rapidly as do patients whove been suffering from a decade old injury. Age of injury or patient doesnt matter.

It is important that you explore all of your alternatives first because most insurance companies will not cover this procedure. However, if youve exhausted all of your options and the next step is surgery, investigating whether plasma injections are right for you is a good thing to do before surgery.

Dr. Rick Lehman is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri and an articular cartilage reconstruction pioneer He owns U. S. Sports Medicine in Kirkwood, MO, and LehmanHealth. Learn more about Dr. Rick.

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The 5-Steps Behind Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – Dr. Hal Brown

PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma, Vancouver

PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma Regenerative Injection Therapy, under ultrasound guidance, for the treatment of back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, ankles, feet, all joints of the body.

PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma

A new treatment for pain is becoming popular among orthopedic and pain specialists: the injection of platelet rich plasma PRP. Most everyone thinks of blood platelets as being responsible for blood clotting after injury which is true. What many people do not know is that blood platelets serve many other important functions. Blood platelets are responsible for bringing white blood cells to the injured area to clean up the remains of dead and injured cells, which is what most people believe is "chronic inflammation or tendonitis. This non productive stagnant "swelling" is called tendonosis and is not helpful for healing and must be resolved for recovery to proceed. Most importantly, blood platelets release growth factors that are directly responsible for tissue regeneration. PRP has also been shown to increase chondrocytes, the cells which grow into cartilage tissue. PRP has been used for years in surgical centers around the US and abroad to improve the success of bone grafting (especially in dental surgery) and also by cosmetic surgeons for speeding healing time and decreasing the risk of infection after surgery. More recently PRP is being used for the treatment of chronic pain. All joints, ligaments and tendon injuries can be treated, whether chronic or acute, including: tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, meniscal tears, osteoarthritis and chronic low back, neck pain and many more areas are are all being treated with the injection of PRP; the goal being to promote the regeneration of degenerated and/or torn or strained connective tissue, ligaments, tendons and joints. The reports are of great success at a magnitude greater than regular dextrose prolotherapy, and of benefit where prolotherapy effects have plateaued or not been sufficient.

What is PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma ? Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets found in PRP include growth factors among the huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins increase stem cell production to initiate connective tissue healing, bone regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels and stimulate the wound healing process.

While a normal concentration of platelets circulating in your blood is 200,000 per micro liter, the platelet count in Platelet Rich Plasma can exceed 2 million platelets per micro liter. To be considered PRP the platelet count must be 4x or greater above baseline.

Normal Platelet Count

Concentrated Platelet Count

How is Platelet Rich Plasma made?

The process of creating Platelet Rich Plasma begins by drawing 20 - 60 cc of blood (500 cc is taken in blood bank donations).

The blood is then put into the Harvest SmartPReP2 Platelet Concentrate System and spun down separating the red blood cells, plasma and concentrating the platelets.

Heres how it works:

All injuries result in tissue damage. The bodys natural response to injury is an organized process of regeneration and remodeling of damaged cells, ultimately returning the injured tissues to their normal state. Collectively this process is known as the healing cascade. This healing cascade is primarily controlled by bioactive tissue growth factors found in platelets. With PRP prolotherapy, these growth factors are concentrated and injected directly into the site of injury.

Growth Factor Biology

The response of living tissue to injury forms the foundation of all surgical practice:

Bioactive proteins replace, repair, and regenerate tissue. These proteins are natural components found in the body and are considered by many to be a new frontier of clinical treatment. Increasing the bioactivity at the wound site takes medicine one step closer toward its ultimate goal of naturally accelerating the body's normal healing process.

The bioactive proteins carried by platelets are already being used succesfully for hemostasis, wound sealing, and wound healing in surgical disciplines such as: oral and maxillofacial, orthopaedic, neurology, otolaryngology, cardiovascular, vascular, general, plastic and reconstructive, non-healing wounds, and pediatrics.

Why use your own platelets?

Platelets are tiny cells that are critical to healing. They are the bodys primary source of bioactive tissue growth factors, including CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) PGDF (Platelet Derived Growth Factor), TGF- (Transforming Growth Factor-beta), EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), IGF (Insulin Growth Factor), bFGF (basic Fibroblast Growth Factor), and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. By concentrating these growth factors and injecting them at the site of injury or degeneration,, the body's own stem cells are drawn to the injured area and differentiate to cause regeneration of new healthy and robust ligaments, tendons and cartilage..

PRP provides a fibrin matrix graft. : Fibrin matrix provides the scaffolding for new collagen to form along damaged ligaments and tendons. With a fibrin matrix graft, even severely damaged tissues can re-organize and heal.

PRP concentrates Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

MSCs are multi-potent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types during tissue repair processes. Cell types that MSCs have been shown to differentiate into include collagen secreting cells, bone forming osteoblasts and cartilage forming chondrocytes. Together these cells have the potential of rejuvenating tissues damaged by injury, degenerative changes, and osteoarthritis.

What does it do?

The PRP process concentrates fibrin, mesenchymal stem cells, and platelets so that each cubic millimeter of solution contains 1.5 to 2 million platelets, resulting in up to a five-fold increase in platelets and bioactive growth factors. Because it is so concentrated, PRP acts as a potent tissue growth stimulant, amplifying the natural process of tissue repair and healing. Studies show that PRP induces the production of new collagen by the fibroblasts, bone and cartilage cells at the site of the injection, rebuilding the joint cartilage and strengthening injured ligaments and tendons. This new collagen is naturally incorporated directly into your existing cartilage and ligaments, making them thicker, stronger and more elastic.

How Does PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy Compare With Cortisone Shots? Occasionally a single cortisone shot may give someone significant relief. Usually however, cortisone shots provide temporary relief and stop inflammation, but may not provide long term healing requiring ongoing injections. The problem is that cortisone is catabolic to tissues, meaning that its use will promote degeneration and wasting over time and with continued use.. PRP therapy is healing, regenerative and strengthening these tendons and ligaments and in some cases thickening the tissue up to 40%.

How Does PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy Compare With Hyaluronic Acid Injections?

Hyaluronic Acid injections ( Synvisc, Hyalgan, and Orthovisc and more) are very effective at increasing comfort and range of motion in injured joints. It does not, however, provide a mechanism of regeneration and it is necessary to continue injections about every 3 months to maintain benefit. PRP is regenerative, which means it stimulates the body to actually grow new ligaments, tendons and joint tissues which will last and function like normal healthy tissues.

How Does PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy compare with regular Dextrose Prolotherapy?

Clinical and anecdotal experience is demonstrating that using PRP as the regenerative injection method creates a much more profound healing effect and results in improved results in less treatments. Prolotherapy is a very effective and useful therapy, but PRP is especially useful when regular prolotherapy has provided positive results, but recovery has not been ideal. In these cases PRP is often the treatment that will resolve these less responsive or more injured areas.

Frequency Of Treatments While responses to treatment vary, most people will require 2 to 6 sets of injections of PRP. Each set of treatments is spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.Usually positive development is evident after 2 treatments. Often satisfactory results may occur even sooner, but cannot be predicted with certainty.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine; May 2013

Treatment of Partial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears in the Elbow With Platelet-Rich Plasma

This study gives positive evidence for the use of PRP in sports injuries.

Drs. Luga Podesta and Lew Yocum, demonstrated that 30 of 34 athletes (88%) had returned to the same level of play without any complaints. The average time to return to play was 12 weeks. As well, real physical changes inside the elbow were observed.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that PRP is an effective option to successfully treat partial UCL tears of the elbow in athletes.

Articles

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Literature Reviews

By Gary B. Clark, MD, MPA

Visions of Regenerations to Come

Published in the Journal of Prolotherapy

Mayo Clinic research identifies optimal treatment sequence for "tennis elbow"

The study included 34 patients with a wide range of tendon and soft tissue injuries, from rotator cuff tendinitis to plantar fasciitis, an inflammation on the bottom of the foot....patients received an injection of concentrated platelets from their own blood. The platelets release growth factors into the area to start the healing process. Researchers found maximum benefits tended to occur within four months after the procedure. More than 70 percent of patients had better use of their tendons, and 76 percent reported improvement in pain. In addition, researchers found some indication of tendon healing, which was detected with sophisticated ultrasound imaging.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as an effective treatment for early osteoarthritis.

The New York Yankees star third baseman Alex Rodriguez gets PRP

Texas Rangers' 2nd basemanIan Kinslersaid he had PRP injection

"I feel 100 percent ,and it's the first time I can say that in a long time," Kinsler said

Tiger Woods discusses PRP Platelet Rich Plasma

VIDEO:

Tiger woods held a press conference a the Augusta Masters today to address concerns of his medical treatment among other issues that have been circling in the media. Tiger clarified that he has never used performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). However Tiger did confirm that he received 4 injections ofPRP Platelet Rich Plasmato his knee ligament (LCL) following a slow post operative recovery from ACL repair. Woods also received treatment for his Achilles tendon which he tore & adversely affected his driving distance . He claims that the treatments were successful & he feels strong.

While Tiger Woods has been surrounded bydisappointments of his family & fans of infidelity, it appears that he has not violated any medical laws or restrictions in sport.PRPhas been used to treat many athletes & even more weekend warriors. We are conducting several studies including a 10multicenter clinical trial on tennis elbow as well as a pilot knee arthritis study that was submitted for publication.

So hopefully the bright side of all this media frenzy will be the attention placed on an emerging therapy PRP. In no way is this a panacea but it appears a safe alternative to cortisone. More studies will emerge soon, some pro and some con to best determine which patients and injuries will be proper candidates for PRP.

Research In PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy:

Platelet Rich Plasma - PRP Matrix Graft by David Crane, MD and Peter A.M. Everts PhD

PRP Articles

Globe and Mail: Injured? Heal yourself with your own blood

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS). Early outcomes of PRP appear promising

PRP Prolotherapy used successfully for professional athletes

PRP keeps Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game

PRP used by figure skater Patrick Chan, Canadian Olympic Team, B.C. Lions

Takashi Saito, Dodger Pitcher, regains career after PRP elbow treatment

Houston Astro's Picture Doug Brocail recovers from hamstring injury with PRP and continues his season

PRP news show video of Doug Brocail

Sports Groin Injuries:

Efficacy of Dextrose Prolotherapy in Elite Male Kicking-Sport Athletes With Chronic Groin Pain Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2005; 86: 697-702 Conclusions: " marked efficacy for chronic groin pain in this group of elite rugby and soccer athletes."

Stem Cell Prolotherapy in Regenerative Medicine Background, Theory and Protocols

Donna D. Alderman, DO, Robert W. Alexander, MD, DMD, FICS, Gerald R. Harris, DO, Patrick C. Astourian, MS, PA-C

Journal of Prolotherapy

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) Prolotherapy

The next advance in Regenerative Medicine

hsb

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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) - Dr. Hal Brown

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections – Sports Medicine Specialists

WHAT IS IT

Platelet Rich Plasma or at is affectionately called Blood Spinning is the newest procedure in the Sports Medicine Physicians arsenal. While this procedure has been used in the dental field for many years it has only become available as an office procedure in Sports Medicine over the last couple of years.

The procedure initially involves taking a specific amount of blood. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge and spun down into layers. The platelet poor plasma is withdrawn and we are left with a small portion of platelet rich plasma. We then have a concentration of platelets which is 3-5 times the concentration in normal blood. This small concentration is then injected into the injured area.

There are three main types of cells in blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues. White blood cells fight infection. The third type of cells are platelets. While we mostly think about palettes function in stopping bleeding they play a very important role in healing damaged tissue. Platelets are full of intrinsic growth factor (more than 30) and other morphologic hormones that stimulate healing of damaged tissue. All of these factors are important in the role of cell replication, angiogenesis, fibroblasts, neovascularization and collagen production. All these activities contribute to the repair of tendon, skeletal muscle and bone.

The concept if the PRP injection is to stimulate the body to potentiate a healing response. PRP has been shown to recruit reparative cells. PRP is injected in an inactivated form and once injected into the body it is activated by collagen within connective tissue. The PRP then releases its growth factors and cytokines. These in turn stimulate local stem cells. The PRP also inhibits excess inflammation which causes scar tissue. The end result is healing of tissue to its as normal as possible physiologic state.

PRP can be used both in acute and chronic conditions. In the acute phase it can get an athlete back on to the playing field faster with better and quicker healing of tissues. In chronic conditions it is used to jump start the body to heal tissue that the body has failed to heal and the healing response has stalled?

PRP is can be utilized on any muscle or tendon but the following are the most common parts injected.

As PRP as an office procedure is fairly new the research on its effectiveness is just starting to appear. The difficulty is that there are several different types of methods to prepare the PRP and they all vary on their concentration of platelets and other components that are to be injected. That being said there are now several papers indicating a very promising response to treatment. Those of us in the fields who are most experienced have all seen (although not in all) excellent results.

A small amount of blood is withdrawn from your body (20-60 ccs). This blood is mixed with an anti-coagulant and then placed in a special centrifuge and double spun. The platelet poor plasma is withdrawn leaving a small concentration of platelet rich plasma. This amount (3-10 ccs) is injected into the injured tissue. This is almost always done under the control of ultrasound guided injection to ensure we are placing their PRP exactly into the injured tissue. This is usually followed by an injection of a prepared thrombin clot which acts liked a matrix to hold the PRP fluid in the injured area.

Unlike cortisone injection where you may have an immediate response from the anti-inflammatory effect the PRP injection is stimulation a proper healing response within the bodies tissues. The healing response works over 6-8 weeks so it may be 8-12 weeks before you feel the total effects of the injection. Depending on the area injected and the severity and chronicity of the problem one or two subsequent injections may be necessary. A good program of physical rehabilitation is required to full rehabilitate the body back to full functional capacity.

As this is a medical procedure generally not covered under extended health insurance plans unless you have a discretionary component of your plan to use as you desire.

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Platelet Rich Plasma Injections - Sports Medicine Specialists

PRP Injections | Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment for Heel Pain

Platelet Rich Plasma injections are also known as PRP injections, used to treat chronic heel pain.

PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. Although a liquid, blood (plasma) contains solids called red cells, white cells, and platelets. Best known for clotting, platelets also contain proteins called growth factors which are very important to the healing of injuries. In a PRP injection, the concentration of platelets and growth factors is 5-10 times greater than in normal blood.

How PRP works

When we injure ourselves, blood rushes to the damaged tissue and starts an inflammatory response to start the healing cycle. Inside and on the walls of platelets are hundreds of growth factors that tell the body what to do, including stem cells. When PRP comes in contact with the injured area it turns on the DNA in those cells to cause that tissue to repair itself and make new cells. It also attracts other stem cells to the region to attach to the injured tissue to create new tissue.

What injuries are treated with PRP Injections?

How is the PRP injection made? A small amount of your blood is drawn, which is run through a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the platelets from the rest of the blood and increases the concentration of the platelets. The increased and concentrated platelets are combined with the remaining blood to create the PRP injection.

How many PRP injections will I need?

Depending on how severe your injury is, it may take 3-7 treatments given 4-6 weeks apart to eliminate your pain and heal your injury.

After the PRP Injection

Since the PRP causes a healing inflammatory response there is usually some mild pain and swelling later that day which can be controlled with rest, ice, and if necessary, over the counter pain medication like tylenol (acetaminophen). Anti-inflammatories and steroids should not be used, as an inflammation response is necessary for the PRP to work.

The following day, light exercise is encouraged to prevent stiffness, with discomfort usually gone in 3-5 days. Painfrom the original injury may start to diminish in 1-2 weeks, but frequently it takes 3-4 treatments to know if it will work for you.

Returning to your level of pre-injury activity depends on the extent of the injury and tissue damaged.

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PRP Injections | Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment for Heel Pain

Platelet Rich Plasma – PRP – New Jersey – Dr E Magaziner

Dr. E. Magaziner is a New Jersey pioneer in Platelet Rich Plasma PRP therapy and injections. From his North Brunswick, NJ center he and his staff have provided cutting-edge PRP treatments and therapy to hundreds of New Jersey patients.

In the 20th century the only treatments we had for pain problems was to give cortisone and anti-inflammatories such as Advil. In the 21st century its adll about growth factors, stem cells, and methods to repair and regenerate injured body parts. With these biologic therapies we use Platelet Rich Plasma PRP also known as Autologous Platelet Concentrate (APC) or Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate (ABM) which contain the bodys growth factors and stem cells. We then transplant theses cells in a tissue matrix using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance to the site of tissue or cartilage injury.

These cells literally go to work to force that inured site to go thru a repair process. It usually it takes 5-7 monthly sessions for the tendon injury or arthritis pain to go away. It works reliably over 90% of the time. Dr. Magaziner has had patients with years of pain treated by other methods that were ineffective, get there problem cured. Patients who have been told they need a knee, hip or shoulder replacement are back to normal activity and practically pain free in a matter of months. Dr. Magaziner has treated patients locally throughout the New Jersey area and across the United states. Most are extremely satisfied with the results and have told him it was like a miracle.

Dr. Magaziner frequently uploads case studies he feels would help provide more detailed information on platelet rich plasma and PRP.

Because PRP carries the signaling proteins for healing just about anything in the body, it can treat a wide range of conditions such as:

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Platelet Rich Plasma - PRP - New Jersey - Dr E Magaziner

Knee Arthritis and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

If you dread walking across a parking lot or climbing stairs because of the pain youll suffer in your knees, then you are probably an arthritis sufferer.

And you want relief. Maybe youre at the end of your rope or just now starting to learn more about your condition and how to repair it.

Arthritis in the knee is usually a result of high-impact sports and repetitive actions like gymnastics or running. Up until now the way to treat arthritis in the knee involved nonsurgical therapies, drugs and surgery.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections where a patientsbloodisspun into a concentrated plasma are proving to be effective treatments (after all other methods have been tried in some circumstances), which doesnt involve surgery and a protracted recovery time.

Lets review these options before we talk about PRP therapy.

Nonsurgical Treatment

If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you can take advantage of a wide range of treatment nonsurgical options.

Lifestyle modification like losing weight and minimizing the high-impact activities that cause you pain in your knees.

Exercise improves your strength, flexibility and range of motion.

Supportive devices like knee braces, canes and cushioned shoes.

Different people respond to different modifications so experiment until you find one that works for you.

Drug Treatments

Several types of drugs can be used in treating arthritis of the knee.

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can be injected into the joint.

Viscosupplementation is where the quality of the joint is improved by injecting it with substances.

Gold salt injection can sometimes be use to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Again, not every patient will respond the same to these treatments. Not all people to medications in the same way. Your orthopaedic surgeon can provide a specific regiment of drug treatments.

Surgical Options

Surgery on your arthritic knee should be a last-resort optionafter youve exhausted all other options. Here are a few surgical treatments:

Arthroscopic surgery uses fiber optics so the surgeon can see inside the joint and clean any debris or restore damage cartilage.

An osteotomy cuts the thigh or shin bone to improve the alignment of the knee joint.

Knee arthroplastywhether total or partialreplaces the knee joint cartilage with metal and plastic.

Cartilage grafting is possible for knees where limited cartilage loss from trauma or arthritis.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Option

A PRP study published in late 2009 from the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute in Bologna, Italy, found platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injected in knees with degenerative arthritis can improve knee function.

The results showed consistent improvement up to 6 months after PRP therapy, which makes it a promising, nonsurgical treatment. But PRP therapy is not a sportsmedicine silver bullet. There can be side effects, and some significant side effects. Herearethemostcommon.

To learn more about PRP treatments for your arthritic knee giveusacall or visit our office in St. Louis. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Knee Arthritis and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections

PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) – JointRehab.com

Although PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy has been around since the mid-1990s many people are still unaware of this beneficial treatment.

Various fields of medicine, including dentistry, neurosurgery, wound healing, and orthopedics, have only just begun to scrape the surface of the long-term and ongoing benefits that can result from employing this valuable therapy.

What is it? A Quick Lesson on Blood In a nutshell, a PRP injection delivers a high concentration of endogenous (your own home-grown) platelets to an area of injury.

To understand the therapeutic value of PRP injections, you need to have a basic understanding of the make-up of blood. Blood is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Its these platelets that are the injurys first-responders and help revascularize an injured area, construct new tissue, and stop the bleeding.

Because platelets play a significant role in the healing of tissue, reintroducing a high concentration of platelets directly into the injured area may enhance the healing process.

The physiological effects include:

Increase tissue regeneration (tendon, ligament, soft tissue) Decrease inflammation Decrease pain Increase collagen (base component of connective tissue) Increase bone density Increase angiogenesis (development of new blood cells)

In the world of high-stakes sports, many stars swear by it. Tiger Woods received PRP injections in his left knee following surgery, and L.A. Dodgers pitcher, Takashi Saito was able to return to the mound for the 2008 playoffs as a result of this little-known therapy.

Studies have seconded these testimonials. A recent study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (2006) reviewed the effectiveness of PRP therapy in patients with chronic elbow pain. Fifteen patients were treated with PRP therapy. The results documented a 60% improvement at eight weeks, 81% at six months, and 93% at final follow-up (12-38 months). There were no side effects or complications reported.

The Trouble with Tendons Tendon injuries often become chronic because of the poor blood supply to these areas. Athletes and active people tend to have these issues and sometimes a whole career or hobby can be ruined by this ongoing complication. A PRP injection allows a quick and focused action to the area of injury, which allows it to heal more effectively and rapidly.

The Procedure A patients blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge which separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. This plasma is then injected into the area of injury. Its a quick procedure with little, if any, downtime. Its also safe because the platelets are derived from the patients own blood, so there is no risk of rejection or reaction.

Not every patient is treated with PRP. We do not treat every patient with PRP, most often, Dextrose Prolotherapy is used instead of PRP, because of the extra step in drawing your blood, the extra expense in purchasing the PRP kit, and extra time it takes to prepare the platelets. The injections are exactly the same way, but the proliferant, or solution injected is different. For many years we have had great success in healing 1000s of patients and having them avoid surgery with dextrose Prolotherapy.

Your decision to have PRP should be discussed with us to determine which type of Prolotherapy, (Dextrose, platelets, or another proliferant) is best for you.

Not every doctor is proficient in PRP Therapy Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy has become very popular. Physicians who do not do traditional Prolotherapy are now offering PRP. Unfortunately, these untrained doctors are injecting the platelets in a way that is often painful, debilitating for weeks, and can leave hematomas (collections of clotted blood) in the area injected. We believe that PRP is best delivered by a physician already experienced and well versed in Prolotherapy.

Platelet alpha granules contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the wound site. Concentrated autologous platelets contain large reservoirs of growth factors that have the potential to greatly accelerate the normal healing process, naturally. The use of concentrated growth factors is considered by many to be a new frontier of clinical therapy

Excerpts in this article from Harvest Technologies Corp

1. Marx, R.E. , et al,Platelet-Rich Plasma Growth Factor Enhancement for Bone Grafts, Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Patrhol, 1998;85:638-646.

2. Antonaides, H.N., et al,Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor: Structure and Functions, Federation Proceedings, 1983;42:2630-2634.

3. Pierce, G.F., et al,PDGF-BB,TGF-1 and Basic FGF in Dermal Wound Healing: Neovessel and Matrix Formation and Cessation Repair, Am J Pathology, 1992;140:1375-1388.

Marc Darrow, M.D., J.D., utilizes Stem Cell Therapy, Platatelt Rich Plasma Therapy, and Prolotherapy for the treatment of chronoc joint and back pain. Dr. Marc Darrow is a Board Certified Physiatrist specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) - JointRehab.com

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment in Hyderabad India

What isPlatelet Rich Plasma

Eternesse Anti Aging Clinicis the only clinic in India that currently offersPRPto its patients.Platelet Rich Plasma, orPRP, isblood plasma with concentrated plateletsand othergrowth factors. The concentrated platelets found inPRPcontain huge reservoirs ofbioactive proteins, includinggrowth factorsand signaling proteins that are vital to initiate and acceleratetissue repairandregeneration. These growth factors number at least a dozen different factors. Thesebioactive proteinsinitiate connective tissue healing in tissues such asmeniscus (knee)androtator cuff tissue, boneandarticular cartilage regenerationand repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate thewound healing process.

ThePRPsignals the body to send instem cellsto repair the area of injury.PRP injectionsare sometimes done under fluoroscopic guidance (living x-ray) atEternesse Anti Aging Clinic. This is done for precise localized delivery of these healing factors into injured ligaments, muscles, and joints.

Steps Involved in Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma therapyis a treatment option for variousorthopaedic injuriesand conditions, which have traditionally required surgery or other extensive treatments.PRP injectionsare being utilized inorthopaedicswith increasing frequency and effectiveness. Injuries currently being treated with thePRP therapyare arthritis of the hip, knee, shoulder, ankle and other joints.PRPalso is utilized for soft tissue injuries such astendonitis, muscle sprainsandtears,and various types ofligament injuries. These include common tendon injuries such astennis and golfers elbow,Achilles tendonitisandknee tendonitis. PRP is also used to treat various injuries and conditions affecting (joint) injuries. These include rotator cuff and meniscus injuries.

AlthoughPRPtechnology is consideredcutting edge technology, it was initially developed 20 years ago for heart surgery to aid with the wound healing and blood loss. Its benefits are now being applied towards the facilitating of healing muscle, tendons, ligaments, articular and meniscal injuries. In fact, PRP has been widely used in Europe for many years.

To preparePRP, a small amount of blood is taken from the patients arm. The blood is then placed in acentrifuge. The centrifuge spins and separates the platelets form the rest of the blood components. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 600%. Using the patients own blood, specially prepared platelets are taken and re-injected into the affected area. These platelets release special growth factors that lead to tissue healing. By using theconcentrated platelets, we increase the growth factors up to eight times which promotes temporary relief and stops inflammation.PRP injectionsactually heal the area over a period of time. This can be anywhere from one to three months.

The human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself, and by re-injecting concentrated platelets, we are facilitating thenatural healing process. ThePRPinjections are calling instem cellsto repair the area. When performing these injections, we must do whatever we can to maximize stem cell release to optimize healing.

PRP is a non-surgical technique which would suggest it is more convenient than a surgery.

Platelets are one of the primary constituents of blood along with white blood cells, red blood cells and plasma.

Platelets in the blood are responsible for the release of growth factors-power proteins which help repair and regenerate soft tissues.

Using a special procedure, we can extract the platelets out of the blood and increase their concentration by 1000 %. When injected into the knee, these highly concentrated platelets aid in the speedy healing of the knee.

We know certain factors diminish stem cell release such as smoking and alcohol intake. Obviously avoiding these pitfalls will do nothing but increase the success of the procedure. The platelets work by causing an inflammatory reaction. If we somehow diminish this inflammatory reaction than we may significantly decrease the chances of having a good result. For this reason, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin, ibuprophen etc. are not recommended. This restriction should be in place for about 4-6 weeks.

The use ofomega 3-fish oiland othernatural anti-inflammatory agentsdo not seem to work the same way as theNSAIDS(non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and are thus not restricted.

What is the number of injections that are administered?

The number of injections performed depends upon the severity and the type of condition being treated. Age also seems to have an effect on the number of injections given. Typically, younger people generally need fewer injections for the same condition than a person who is older.

Is there any pain involved?

After the injection is given, there is usually a marked increase in pain for anywhere from 5-10 days. Tylenol and possibly a mild narcotic usually handle this pain. The pain may start up again only later to go away. A good analogy is that of a roller coaster where the initial few days are like the big drop on the roller coaster than the remaining few days are like smaller dips on a roller coaster!

We are Indias bestPRP Therapy provider. Dr. Leroy Rebello is Indias foremost expert and authority on Platelet Rich Plasma. If you are anorthopedist making aninquiry for your patient or someone suffering from bone injuries please contact us. If you simply want to rejuvenate your face and body using growth cells, then you are in good hands with the countrys best PRP specialist who will attend upon you. You can call us on the number below for an initial consultation with Dr. Rebello.

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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment in Hyderabad India

PRP Injections – Platelet Rich Plasma Injections …

PRP injections are a new medical technology used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries as well as in the aesthetic medicine field. This website aims to provide information about this therapy and where it can be performed.

The field of sports medicine is advancing at a rapid pace and is encouraging millions of people from athletes to the general population to participate in regular activity to stay healthy and active (1). However this increase in physical activity has also seen an increase in musculoskeletal injuries. The World Health Organisation has recently recognised that musculoskeletal injuries affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability (2). In Australia alone, there are almost 4 cases of medically treated sporting injuries per 100 persons (3).

Soft tissue injuries which include ligament and tendons represent up to 45% of all musculoskeletal injuries (4,5). The increasing participation in sporting activities coupled together with improved modern imaging techniques such as MRI and high resolution ultrasound have helped sports medicine practitioners to better understand these injuries (6).

References 1. Snchez M, Anitua E, Orive G, Mujika I, Andia I. Platelet-rich therapies in the treatment of orthopaedic sport injuries. Sports Med. 2009;39(5):345-54. 2. Woolf AD, Pfleyer B. Burdon of major musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ. 2003;81:64656. 3. Cassel EP, Finch CF, Stathakis VZ. Epidemiology of medically treated sport and active recreation injuries in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia. Br J Sports Med 20032; 37: 405-9. 4. Anitua M, Snchez E, Nurden A, Nurden P, Orive G, And a I. New insights into and novel applications for platelet-rich fibrin therapies. Trends Biotechnol. 2006;24(5):22734. 5. Praemer AF. Musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. 2nd ed. Rosemont: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 1999. 6. Sampson S, Gerhardt M, Mandelbaum B. Platelet rich plasma injection grafts for musculoskeletal injuries: a review. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008 Dec;1(3-4):165-74.

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PRP Injections - Platelet Rich Plasma Injections ...

Platelet-rich plasma – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Platelet-rich plasma (Abbreviation: PRP) is blood plasma that has been enriched with platelets. As a concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains (and releases through degranulation) several different growth factors and other cytokines that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

PRP was first developed in the 1970s and first used in Italy in 1987 in an open heart surgery procedure. PRP therapy began gaining popularity in the mid 1990s. It has since been applied to many different medical fields such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, sports medicine and pain management.[citation needed]

The efficacy of certain growth factors in healing various injuries and the concentrations of these growth factors found within PRP are the theoretical basis for the use of PRP in tissue repair.[1] The platelets collected in PRP are activated by the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride, which induces the release of the mentioned factors from alpha granules. The growth factors and other cytokines present in PRP include:[1][2]

There are, at present, two methods of PRP preparation approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.[3] Both processes involve the collection of the patient's whole blood (that is anticoagulated with citrate dextrose) before undergoing two stages of centrifugation (TruPRP) (Harvest) designed to separate the PRP aliquot from platelet-poor plasma and red blood cells.[3] In humans, the typical baseline blood platelet count is approximately 200,000 per L; therapeutic PRP concentrates the platelets by roughly five-fold.[4] There is, however, broad variability in the production of PRP by various concentrating equipment and techniques.[5][6][7]

In humans, PRP has been investigated and used as a clinical tool for several types of medical treatments, including nerve injury,[2]tendinitis,[8][9]osteoarthritis,[10]cardiac muscle injury,[11] bone repair and regeneration,[12]plastic surgery,[13] and oral surgery.[14] PRP has also received attention in the popular media as a result of its use in treating sports injuries in professional athletes.[15][16][17][18]

PRP may be used as a treatment for hair regrowth caused by Androgenic Alopecia.[19][20] A 2013 review stated more evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of PRP for hair regrowth.[21]

Results of basic science and preclinical trials have not yet been confirmed in large-scale controlled clinical trials. For example, clinical use of PRP for nerve injury and sports medicine has produced "promising" but "inconsistent" results in early trials.[2][22] A 2009 systematic review of the scientific literature stated that there are few controlled clinical trials that have adequately evaluated the safety and efficacy of PRP treatments and concluded that PRP is "a promising, but not proven, treatment option for joint, tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries".[22]

Proponents of PRP therapy argue that negative clinical results are associated with poor quality PRP produced by inadequate single spin devices. The fact that most gathering devices capture a percentage of a given thrombocyte count is a bias, since there is significant inter-individual variability in the platelet concentration of human plasma. More is not necessarily better in this case.[4] The variability in platelet concentrating techniques may alter platelet degranulation characteristics that could affect clinical outcomes.[2]

A 2010 Cochrane analysis found no evidence that PRP offered any benefit when used for sinus lifts during dental implant placement.[14]

A 2014 Cochrane analysis found very weak (very low quality) evidence for a decrease in pain in those treated with platlet-rich therapies (PRT) from musculoskeletal injuries in the short term (up to three months). However, pooled data did not show a difference in function in the short, medium or long term. There was weak evidence that suggested that adverse events (harms) occurred at comparable, low rates in people treated with PRT and people not treated with PRT.[23]

Platelet-rich plasma is used in horses for treatment of equine lameness. Uses include tendon and ligament injury, wounds, fractures, bone cysts, and osteoarthritis.

Some concern exists as to whether PRP treatments violate anti-doping rules, such as those maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency.[1] It is not clear if local injections of PRP can have a systemic impact on circulating cytokine levels, in turn affecting doping tests; it is also not clear whether PRP treatments have systemic anabolic effects or affect performance.[1] In January 2011, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed intramuscular injections of PRP from its prohibitions after determining that there is a "lack of any current evidence concerning the use of these methods for purposes of performance enhancement".[24] In April 2014, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, 28, underwent two PRP injections to speed the healing and recovery of an oblique injury. Left-hander Zach Britton had the procedure in his left shoulder in March 2012, according to the Baltimore Sun, and right-hander Dylan Bundy had the procedure last April before undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.

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Platelet-rich plasma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia