Monday, August 31, 2009

Excellent Evidence for Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Bosch et al in the Journal of Orthopedic Research just reported significant biomechanical evidence supporting the use of a single Platelet Rich Plasma injection for tendon injuries in an equine model. It is important to note this research was conducted using a formulation of platelet rich plasma contained about 4 times platelet concentration and 6 times white blood cell concentration. (Biomet Biologics GPS Device) The PRP was injected under ultrasound guidance.

Some PRP devices concentrate only platelets without any white blood cell concentration. This evidence and published human clinical data support the use of PRP that concentrate both. Make sure when considering a PRP procedure for tendon injuries to have the published literature guide treatment.

"The repair tissue in the PRP group showed a higher strength at failure (p = 0.021) and Elastic Modulus (p = 0.019). Histologically, PRP-treated tendons featured better organization of the collagen network (p = 0.031) and signs of increased metabolic activity (p = 0.031). It was concluded that PRP increases metabolic activity and seems to advance maturation of repair tissue over nontreated experimentally induced tendon lesions, which suggests that PRP might be beneficial in the treatment of clinical tendon injuries." See Full Abstract

AM
Total Tendon

ApexPRP.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Another NY Times Article about Platelet Rich Plasma

The lay press are clearly interested in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as a treatment. It is intriguing to both athletes and reporters. The worldwide scientific data continues to support the use of PRP for tendon and ligament injuries. Large prospective randomized trials are also on-going. Today this article appeared in the New York Times:

"LAST April, at a meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, three experts in tendon injuries sat on a stage and talked about their preferred treatments. One said that the best treatment was to inject small amounts of a patient’s own blood into the injured tendon. Another said that the best method was to concentrate the platelets of the patient’s blood and then inject the concentration, a substance known as platelet rich plasma."

Read the Full Article.....

As the lay press examines PRP as a treatment, it is important to realize PRP still needs continued scientific investigation to prove its efficacy by specific indication.

AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP

Monday, August 10, 2009

NFL Player Platelet Rich Plasma

Another NFL player has documented success using platelet rich plasma for elbow tendonitis.

See story in Philadelphia newspaper.

This is a recurring pattern of elite athletes being treated with PRP. The evidence is, however, unfortunately weak. We need formal studies to prove these results are valid. If the NFL, MLB, NBA or other leagues sponsored formal trials or at least prospective studies we would better be able to determine the true value of PRP. We could also hopefully answer questions about what formulation of PRP is best.

AM
Total Tendon

ApexPRP.com
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