Dr. Steven Sampson, Medical Director www.orthohealing.com
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy offers a promising solution to accelerate healing of tendon injuries and osteoarthritis naturally without subjecting the patient to significant risk. PRP is an emerging treatment in a new health sector known as "Orthobiologics."
Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing: bone, tendon and ligament regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process.
Blood is made of RBC (Red Blood Cells), WBC (White Blood Cells), Plasma, and Platelets. When in their resting state, platelets look like sea sponges and when activated form branches. Platelets were initially known to be responsible for blood clotting. In the last 20 years physicians have learned that when activated in the body, platelets release healing proteins called growth factors.
To prepare PRP, a small amount of blood is taken from the patient. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins and automatically
produces the PRP. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 500%.
When PRP is injected into the damaged area it stimulates the tendon or ligament causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade. As
a result new collagen begins to develop. As this collagen matures it begins to shrink causing the tightening and strengthening of the tendons or ligaments of the damaged area.
PRP injections can be performed in tendons and ligaments al over the body. Sports injuries, arthritic joints, lower back, degenerative disc disease and
more specific injuries including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ACL tears, shin splints, rotator cuff tears, plantar fasciitis and iliolibial band
syndrome may all be effectively treated with PRP.
Case history -
T.R. is a male professional pole-vaulter who competes in the senior class (over 50). He initially presented with complaints of knee pain from arthritis. He tried anti-inflammatories, received multiple synvisc and cortisone injections, and underwent arthroscopic surgery;
A musculoskeletal ultrasound was performed & identified multiple abnormalities of the knee which were contributing to his pain in addition to the arthritis.
After a series of 3 PRP injections to his pes anserine bursa, patellar tendon, medial meniscus and knee joint, he was pain free with no limitation. (see image)
Several months later he received PRP therapy for his rotator cuff tear with arthritis and is doing great.
Patient testimony:
"As a national-class masters track and field athlete competing in the pole vault, sprints, and hurdles, decades of training and competition had worn down my joints to the point where running was painful and lifting my arm over my head was difficult. My orthopedist referred me to Dr. Sampson, whose assessment indicated that PRP for my problematic joints (knee, shoulder) might yield some benefits. Dr. Sampson gave me a series of PRP injections in the knee and the shoulder over an extended time. The improvement has been dramatic; I can run and pole vault without pain, train with intensity, and compete without worrying about joint limitations. PRP has returned my joint functionality to where it was 15 years ago."
