PRP and Ultrasound

Using ultrasound to guide platelet rich plasma injections is becoming more popular. For some indications it may be crucial. Importantly, ultrasound may an excellent way to test the value of platelet rich plasma for tendon related injuries and disorders. In the following study, Bosch et al did just that. The researchers confirmed the value of ultrasound and also found PRP treated cases had better tissue alignment.

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Total Tendon
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"The effectiveness of new therapies to treat tendon injuries is difficult to determine and is often based on semi-quantitative methods, such as grey level analysis of ultrasonographic images or subjective pain scores. The alternatives are costly and long-lasting end-stage studies using experimental animals. In this study, a method of ultrasonographic tissue characterisation (UTC), using mathematical analysis of contiguous transverse ultrasonographic images, was used for intra-vital monitoring of the healing trajectory of standardised tendon lesions treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) or placebo. Using UTC it was possible to detect significant differences between the groups in the various phases of repair. At end stage, over 80% of pixels showed correct alignment in the PRP group, compared with just over 60% in the placebo group (P<0.05). UTC also showed significant differences in the course of the healing process between PRP treated and placebo treated animals throughout the experiment. It was concluded that computerised analysis of ultrasonographic images is an excellent tool for objective longitudinal monitoring of the effects of treatments for superficial digital flexor tendon lesions in horses."

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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

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Total Tendon

ApexPRP.com

New York Yankee and Platelet Rich Plasma

New York Yankee outfielder Xavier Nady may be using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to treat an ulnar collateral ligament injury in his elbow. This is another example of PRP going more mainstream. It will be important to follow his progress and potential return to play to better evaluate the role of PRP in this injury. Read more of the story.

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Total Tendon

ApexPRP.com