Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

norrie rugger

Given that I have a personal history in tendon issues, I obviously am keeping attention to connective tissue therapies and procedures.

I keep hearing about PRP but no one really seems to know anything about it.
I can not find anyone with studies done etc.

The theory behind it is that as the connective tissue has a relatively poor blood supply, there is a limited ability for the body to congregate the healing factors necessary, for repair.

Taking blood, from the patient, centrifuging, harvesting the plasma and injecting it into the site of damage releases repair factors and allows the body to begin corrective repair. Although people seem to argue that the act of injecting the damaged site causes bleeding, allowing for platelets access anyway.

Does anyone have access to studies on this? All I can find are animal related trials and anecdotal evidence, from clinics.
Compared to the surgery I had, this seems like some step forward (would have been lovely to avoid that).


It is very interesting that a tiny injection could avoid months of rest, physio and potential surgery (to remove scar tissue or repair a rupture)

Ihaveanopinion

If you have access to it - the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (JAAOS) did a review of this in the last two months.

Bottom line - unproven therapy. No strong research on it. Driven by popular opinion - ie sports people latching on to the newest and therefore 'best' thing.

The article makes for good reading.


MOD EDIT: no recommending/not recommending of specific therapies please.

as always, OP, please seek medical advice

norrie rugger

I have no access to the medical journals, unfortunately, but it seems to summise what I had gathered so far

Sam not looking for medical advice here, was just curious about this apparent "super cure" that I could not find anything about, other than anecdotal evidence, even outside not having journal access.

that ususally sets bells ringing for me.
Just curious is all

sam34

norrie rugger wrote: »

I have no access to the medical journals, unfortunately, but it seems to summise what I had gathered so far

Sam not looking for medical advice here, was just curious about this apparent "super cure" that I could not find anything about, other than anecdotal evidence, even outside not having journal access.

that ususally sets bells ringing for me.
Just curious is all

i know you didnt ask for medical advice, but the poster ihaveanopinion voiced their opinion and made a recommendation about this type of treatment, which i subsequently deleted from their post.

norrie rugger

sam34 wrote: »

i know you didnt ask for medical advice, but the poster ihaveanopinion voiced their opinion and made a recommendation about this type of treatment, which i subsequently deleted from their post.

Ahhh je comprende:cool:

DubMedic

I can remember seeing a piece on this on one of the american media channels.. possibly CNN.

There are a couple of articles on it in the NY Times and such.

e.g.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/sports/17blood.html?_r=1

I will do a more thorough search tomorrow or so and edit as appropriate.

.