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.
Data was released from Krakow Poland at the International Meeting on the use of Autologous Growth Factors in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine: “State of the Art” – Krakow, Poland – 24 April 2009. The study found that patients receiving cortisone showed a 40% improvement compared to PRP 75% at 12 months. This is the first head to head study. Cortisone is well known to carry a risk of weakening & rupturing a tendon & is often discouraged.
http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?article=1323
We are conducting a multicenter FDA approved trial on tennis elbow beginning Mid June 2009.
www.orthohealing.com
PRP is getting a lot of attention in the media lately…here is a link from Good Morning America. This treatment speaks to the concept that the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. Through innovative technology, we are revolutionizing how we address treatment of tendon and cartilage injuries.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainNews/Story?id=6895441&page=1
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
Dr Steven Sampson was selected as a principal investigator for an FDA approved study for Recover® Kit for Chronic Elbow Tendinosis using platelet rich plasma (PRP). This study includes up to 10 centers across the country and will hopefully pave the way for FDA approval and widespread use. Stay tuned for further info regarding this and other studies Dr Sampson is involved with in 2009.
www.orthohealing.com
http://www.biomet.com/patients/clinical_recruitment_recover.cfm
Gosens & Sluimer from the Netherlands, just reported on a prospective, double blinded, randomized study comparing PRP to cortisone injections in the treatment of 100 patients with tennis elbow. They used a visual analog pain score (1-10) & a DASH score to measure treatment response by 24 weeks. Both groups demonstrated initial improvement. However, by 24 weeks the cortisone group had a recurrence of pain whereas the PRP group continued to have improved pain scores. 1 and 2 year follow up results will be reported in the future.
This article originated from St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Prior research has showed that after 4-6weeks tendons are no longer inflammed, but rather become thickened, scarred, & fibrotic with poor blood supply. Therefore at this point the proper nomenclature is “tendinosis” not tendinitis. With this understanding we try to facilitate healing by increasing blood flow and breaking up scar tissue.
A new textbook was released by Jennifer E. Woodell-May and William S. Pietrzak which includes a chapter reviewing PRP. The chapter includes a literature review including case reports that suggest the multitude of potential applications.
One of the chapter’s authors, Jennifer Woodell-May has produced insightful research regarding the role of growth factors & their concentrations.
Many trials are in the pipeline in efforts of obtaining FDA approval for PRP injections. There is a multi-center placebo controlled double blinded study underway looking at plantar fasciitis(heel pain) & lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
http://www.biomet.com/patients/clinical_recruitment_recover.cfm
Also, Thanks to the many patients inquiring about info on docs around the country performing PRP procedures. Feel free to contact any of those listed in the link performing this particular study. At some point I may have a list of various PRP docs out there to help patients out. Please Continue to send requests.
On another note, we are currently examining the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma with osteoarthritis. We are collecting objective data on all patients injected.
On Nov 2nd & 3rd, I will be at a PRP course in Ohio. To my knowledge it is the first of it’s kind in the US. Several field leaders and those Physicians interested in learning about PRP will gather there to exchange ideas and further our understanding of PRP. Also, there will be needle guided ultrasound tutorials. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is being used increasingly by docs performing PRP injections. I have performed some injections under ultrasound with enhanced ability to guide the needle to precise areas of injury. I will post info following the course.
