These superstars depended on platelet-rich plasma therapy, also known as protein-rich plasma or PRP, still considered experimental, but not for want of success in the fields of orthopedics, dentistry and even aesthetic treatments.
Using somewhat of a “patient, heal thyself” approach, PRP focuses on the patient’s own blood to enhance and speed the healing process. It works by increasing tissue regeneration, collagen, bone density and new blood cells, while decreasing inflammation.
Because the plasma is so concentrated, it also acts as wound sealant, decreasing the need for dressings and drains and reducing the incidence of hematomas and seromas.
PRP is harvested by spinning a vial of a patient’s blood in a centrifuge to separate the blood into layers. The plasma-rich layer, with its concentrated growth factors that are responsible for quicker healing, is isolated and injected back into the patient. An anti-coagulant is added to the initial blood draw and an activator used just before injection.
“The process typically involves a blood draw of two teaspoons of blood from the patient and a five-minute processing time in the centrifuge,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Ross Clevens, who uses PRP as part of treatment with reconstructive and cosmetic patients.
Orthopedic uses
The therapy was first initially embraced by the orthopedic community.“PRP can be injected in the office setting for a number of unresolved indications such as tendonosis, tendonopathy and osteoarthritic joints,” said Merritt Island orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey O’Brien.
“The PRP injection is a viable option if the patient’s symptoms have not resolved by steroid injections, physical therapy, bracing and other standard accepted options. In a different form, it can be surgically implanted to assist with healing of rotator cuff repairs, meniscal repair and ACL reconstruction. I generally use the latter when the repair or the healing process would be more of a challenge. For example, repairs of small rotator cuff tears have a very high success rate of healing, but the medium to large tears would benefit from the surgical use of the implant.”A similar therapy is platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, which oral surgeon Dr. Timothy Lang uses in his Indian Harbour Beach practice, primarily to reduce patient waiting time from dental extractions to final dental implant restorations.“Approximately 10 percent of our dental implant patients who require either bone grafting or soft tissue augmentation in addition to dental implant placements receive PRF,” Lang said.
“All patient types are candidates for PRF and PRP. Patients having oral surgery will particularly benefit if they are medically compromised. It is also particularly good for individuals 50-plus whose osteogenic and soft tissue regenerative capacity is somewhat reduced. I personally have noticed a distinct difference in the wound healing rates of my patients when PRP/PRF is utilized as compared to those where it was not. Bottom line, there are faster soft tissue healing times and fewer infections.”
The primary difference between PRF and PRP, says Lang, is that PRF allows for the slow release of growth factors over a week’s period.
“This is in contrast to PRP, which activates the growth factors immediately,” Lang said.
“However, PRP acts short term only at the time of application.”
Cocoa Beach resident David Mathias sailed through oral surgery, in part because of PRP therapy.
“I had no side effects from PRP,” Mathias said.
“The surgery site healed quickly, appropriately and with no additional complications.”
Clevens has used PRP in more than 5,000 cases. Clevens finds that PRP can be beneficial on everything from facelift and eyelid surgery to skin cancer reconstructive surgery and rhinoplasty.
“We use PRP in all of our procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical such as laser therapy, fat transfers, live fill, skin tightening and even with fillers,” Clevens said.
“This method speeds recovery, reduces bruising, minimizes swelling and reduces discomfort following facial cosmetic surgery by up to 40 percent. In our experience, nearly 100 percent of patients who undergo reconstructive surgery, skin cancer surgery or rhinoplasty surgery benefit from PRP.”The versatile PRP, like Botox and Latisse, has also crossed over from conventional medicine into the world of aesthetics. Clevens, for example, also incorporates the use of PRP with lasers and injectables such as Juvederm and Restylane to create better, longer-lasting results.“PRP rejuvenates the skin to create a more youthful glow,” Clevens said.
Minimal issues
As a rejuvenation technique, PRP, sometimes referred to as a “vampire lift,” uses the concentrated platelets of the patient’s own blood to repair damaged or aging skin, resulting in brighter, plumper skin with little downtime. The therapy works very well in sites such as under the skin under the eyes, lip lines, neck, chest hands, upper arms, and is particularly attractive to patients who have allergic reactions or fear of fillers. The results can last up to two years.“This process is changing the way many plastic surgical procedures are performed,” Clevens said.
Because it involves the patient’s own blood, complications tend to be minimal.
“There is no risk of allergy or disease transmission,” said Clevens.
PRP’s one major drawback seems to lie in its current speculative status with many insurance companies. Considered experimental, its average cost of $400 to $500 is not usually reimbursed. Insurers’ attitudes are rapidly changing, however,
“The orthopedic community is starting to see greater acceptance by insurance companies as the clinical evidence is showing it can provide benefit,” O’Brien said.
“As an injection, it is another safe and viable option to resolve ongoing discomfort prior to undergoing surgery. In surgery, use is also seeing increase insurance company acceptance due to recent positive press.”http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130911/HEALTH/309110043/The-healing-power-blood?nclick_check=1
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