Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a new treatment that relieves pains that are caused by osteoarthritis (shoulder, knee, and hip) and sport injuries such as ACL injuries, muscle sprains, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, and tendonitis.
The procedure of this treatment involves removing the patient’s own blood, spun in a centrifuge to separate the RBC and platelets, and inject the platelet portion back to the damaged area. During resting state, platelets look like sea sponges and when activated they tend to form branches. Platelets are known for their clotting abilities, in the past 20 years researchers have discovered that when they are activated in the body they can release healing proteins called growth factors. These growth factors can speed up tissue and wound healing.
The PRP therapy generally takes about one to two hours without anesthesia or hospital stays. One or two injections usually last about five months or longer if there is only minor damage to tissue or joints. However if the damage is significant, three injections may be given within a six month period. Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks. PRP therapy has shown to be very effective at relieving pain. Researchers have used both ultrasound and MRI images to observe tissue repair after PRP therapy and confirm the healing process. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses. According to New York Times, insurance generally decline to pay for the injections. But patients have paid $1,000 or more for an injection.
http://www.treatingpain.com/diagnosis-and-treatments/platelet-rich-plasma.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/health/13tendon.html
http://www.orthohealing.com/plateletrichplasmatherapy-prp/
I realize that this PRP therapy sounds like a great alternative to surgery as it is far less invasive and costly, but what concerns me is that there is not mention of specific growth factors and the mechanisms through which the observed effects occur. Without an understanding of how these repair processes are happening, I think it is risky as it may be difficult to predict long-term side effects and potential complications. Have you found any studies aimed at determining the specific growth factors involved or signaling pathways involved?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read PRP sounds like this new miraculous therapy that heals arthritis, but I think it is a very risky procedure considering not much research has been done. I think the reason it has been so hyped up is because big name athletes like Tiger Woods and Troy Polamalu have gotten the shots and claim they work. People tend to believe what big names are endorsing without considering the risks and doing their own research. There have been a few studies that have shown that these injections don't have any more of an effect that placebo shots of saline. So I wonder how much of this pain relief is actually in the patients head. There are a lot more studies being done and some clinical trial at this time. Hopefully their results could find some real evidence supporting PRP therapy.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this therapy seems to goo to be true as there is not sufficient data to support its claims. What I would be more concerned about is the therapy only masking the pain thus creating more long term damage .
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that if it is good treatment for an osteoarthritis, it is really great discovery. it is like Refractive eye surgery (LASIK) when the surgery started, the cost for surgery was really expensive. However now I have heard that it is affordable. so PRP might turn in to new treatment.
ReplyDeleteDown side of new treatment is definitely side effect. since the study is so short that no one knows what would happens in long term.
KatherineT495, I did not find much information about specific growth factors that people are researching in proving the efficiency of PRP. The main wound recovery ability that platelets have are the ability to stop bleeding and vessel repairs.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!! I never considered it that way. I came across this site as of late which I suppose it will be an incredible utilization of new plans and informations.
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