Blood Spinning vs Blood Doping San Francisco Chronicle PRP

There is WAY too much confusion about the differences between blood spinning and blood doping.  Put simply, blood spinning is the separation of the whole blood into its components:  red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.  Various techniques concentrate the components and then are used either individually or in combination.  Platelet rich plasma can be the product of blood spinning.  It is used immediately after preparation and for injuries.

Blood Doping is the collection and storage of typically whole blood to be used to enhance performance.  Blood is drawn, stored and then reinjected at later date typically right before a race to improve endurance.  Cyclist Floyd Lanis has recently admitted to blood doping and accused Lance Armstrong of the same. 

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle discusses these issues in conjunction with Dr. Tony Galea a Canadian doctor who has treated Tiger Woods and several other US athletes.  Read her article here.

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Pac-10 Athletic Trainer Conference

Platelet rich plasma was discussed in depth at the Pacific 10 Athletic Trainer conference in Berkeley yesterday by Dr. Allan Mishra.  Almost all of the schools represented had used PRP to treat their athletes.  It was clear from the discussion, however, that the various forms of PRP (with and without white blood cells) were not well known to the group.  Moving forward, it was noted that the type of PRP should be recorded and studied in greater detail.  Also, the use of ultrasound to guide PRP injections and follow patients was found to have value.  Better and more specific post PRP protocols were found to be lacking.  Overall, it was interesting to note how much PRP was being used.  Clearly, the need for better indication data was still needed.  More later....

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LA Dodgers and Seattle Mariners using PRP to treat players

Seattle Mariner Cliff Lee pitched 7 innings yesterday of shut out baseball after receiving a platelet rich plasma injection for an abdominal strain.  The Safeco field crowd of 34,055 were treated to 93 mile per hour fast balls and eight strikeouts.  An impressive return to pitching. 

Did PRP help him in his return?  That is a good question to ask Mr. Lee.  Clearly, it didn't hurt him.  We need to follow his progress and better understand if PRP can treat abdominal strains and or sports hernia type injuries.

Los Angeles Dodger Rafael Furcal also has used PRP.  In his case, the platelet rich plasma was used to treat a hamstring injury.  We clearly need better data on whether PRP really helps these problems but for now it is clear that major league players and their doctors are using it.

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