An article in the NY times today discusses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and tendon injuries. Dr Steven Sampson at the Orthohealing Center in Los Angeles is a principal investigator in the tennis elbow study that was mentioned in the NY Times today.
While the article focuses on PRP treatment for tendon injuries, Dr Sampson is publishing research very soon on platelet rich plasma therapy for knee osteoarthritis. 12 month data has been collected.
Recently Botox has been getting more press about it’s applications for conditions other than vanity. Boto
x temporarily weakens muscle and blocks “substance p” which in turn blocks pain. Unlike many other meds, botox has very little side effect & lasts for months. As a result there is increased use across the board in medicine including migraines, neck and low back pain, and buttock pain (piriformis syndrome). Research is being conducted on prostate enlargement (BPH) and overactive bladder. Also patients with tight limbs from strokes or brain injuries receive this treatment to improve function.
The NY Times recently published an article on botox seeing increased use for medical conditions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/business/12botox.html?hpw
Also I published a chapter on botox use for sciatica (buttock pain known as piriformis syndrome).
http://prpinjection.blogspot.com/search?q=piriformis
Following the mention of Hines Ward receiving a PRP injection to allow him to perform in the super bowl, there has been an increased interest in understanding this treatment. Recently I was interviewed by New York Times reporter Alan Schwarz and extensively contributed to the article which will be published in tomorrow morning’s New York Times in section A1.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/sports/17blood.html?_r=1
The article raises awareness that PRP is a cost effective and safe means of accelerating healing naturally without surgery. However I feel that PRP treatment represents only the beginning in a promising field known as “orthobiologics.” I will be at the 4th annual Stem Cell Summit In New York City Feburary 17, 2008. The leading biologic and stem cell companies, physicians, and scientists will converge to share our latest work. I will post an update on the presentations and will soon give a grand rounds on stem cell & biologic progress.
I’m thrilled that (PRP) Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is beginning to capture the public and medical community’s attention. I hope to continue to train & educate physicians to expand the application of this innovative treatment in tendon and cartilage injuries. I hope to publish data from a PRP study on knee osteoarthritis this year.
Dr Steven Sampson
www.orthohealing.com
