dBusiness news announced that an Atlanta clinic is now beginning to offer PRP injections. Dr Steven Sampson was referenced in the article describing the science behind PRP.
More & more clinics in the US & Abroad are offering biologic based treatments to naturally accelerate the healing process. We have been performing PRP injections for nearly 4 years now, with encouraging results. However hopefully many of these clinics performing PRP procedures will publish literature so that we can all learn together which particular injuries may respond best. Currently many organizations are working on a clinical guidlineson PRP in efforts of creating a standard to adhere by. Unfortunately there is great variability with platelet concentrations, injection technique with & without guidance of ultrasound or x-ray and frequency of treatment & combination with other therapies synvisc/supartz, Traumeel etc.
We are now offering a training seminar to encourage research & proper training in platelet Rich Plasma therapy.
aware of who utilizes ultrasound guided acupuncture known as “Intramuscular stimulation.” Developed by Dr Chan Gun, this practice emphasizes that tendon injuries are a result of shortened & contracted muscles. For example if someone has achilles tendon pain, the shortened muscles of the calf & tibialis posterior must be relaxed. Dr Leal palpates the shortened muscle and marks a spot that reproduces pain in the patient. Afterwards Dr Leal uses ultrasound to look into the muscle & inserts an acupuncture like needle into the muscle belly & illicits a “twitch.” The patient perceives a brief pulse known as “Qi (chi)” The needle is left in for 3 minutes then removed & heat is provided with ultrasound. According to Dr Leal patients need 2 treatments one wk apart & may have tremendous relief. 
Last week after our visit from Japanese Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Sobajima, we were honored to have Dr Betul Turan of Turkey visit us. Dr Turan is a Physiatrist who specializes in non-surgical orthopaedics. Her husband is an Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in cartilage regeneration & repair. Together they are creating a state of the art Regenerative Medicine clinic in Orthopaedics. Dr Turan observed numerous cases including platelet rich plasma injections utilizing ultrasound guidance. In 2009 we had numerous Dr’s from across the world including Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, Turkey and others observe procedures for training.
Along with Orthopaedist Ben DuBois MD, Dr Steven Sampson will be hosting a training seminar “Introduction to Shoulder Ultrasound.” The course will be in Seattle WA on June 27, 2009 from 8:30am-5:30pm. Dr Sampson also will be acting as a Preceptor to train physicians who are beginning their ultrasound training.
I recently launched a web site on PRP. It is another resource for health professionals & patients to learn more about this emerging therapy. Additionally, I will be hosting a conference in early May 2008, in Los Angeles to train other physicians on the use of PRP along with musculoskeletal ultrasound guidance.
The site will include testimonials as well as promote further communication amongst patients.
