Metta World Peace says he'll have platelet-rich plasma procedure on knee

ORLANDO, Fla. - Metta World Peace said he will undergo a platelet-rich plasma procedure on his left knee Jan. 6.
World Peace, who tore his left meniscus last season with the Lakers, said he considered flying to Germany to have it done, as former teammate Kobe Bryant did. But World Peace said he learned he could have the PRP procedure done in New York, and the process already has begun.
In PRP, a doctor withdraws about 50 cubic centimeters of blood, spins it in a centrifuge and injects it directly into the injured area. World Peace said he's already had his blood taken and "the spinning stuff" has started.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

During the past several years, much has been written about a preparation called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its potential effectiveness in the treatment of injuries.
Many famous athletes — Tiger Woods, tennis star Rafael Nadal, and several others — have received PRP for various problems, such as sprained knees and chronic tendon injuries. These types of conditions have typically been treated with medications, physical therapy, or even surgery. Some athletes have credited PRP with their being able to return more quickly to competition.
Even though PRP has received extensive publicity, there are still lingering questions about it, such as:

• What exactly is platelet-rich plasma?
• How does it work?
• What conditions are being treated with PRP?
• Is PRP treatment effective?

Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen will use blood-spinning technique to speed up recovery

T

ottenham will use blood-spinning technique PRP to try to get Jan Vertonghen back to fitness in quick time.

Vertonghen suffered ankle ligament damage during Tottenham's 2-1 win over Fulham last week, and given that Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul are currently injured, Spurs need their top centre-back to return as soon as possible.

Questions & Answers -- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Recommendations for Treating Bone and Joint Injuries

Interview with the Authors: Questions & Answers

Orthopaedic surgeons Scott R. Rodeo, MD and Freddie H. Fu, MD answer questions about PRP treatment.

Question:	Before patients “decide” they want PRP treatment bone and joint injuries/pain, what are some questions that they should be asking?
Fu:	Patients should be asking what the available scientific evidence is to support the use of PRP in treating their injury. They should also ask if there is any risk of complications associated with PRP treatment.
Rodeo:	Another issue is whether the cost of the PRP treatment is covered by their insurance carrier, as this can become quite costly.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments Beneficial for Tendinosis

(HealthDay News) – For athletes with Achilles or patellar tendinosis, platelet rich plasma (PRP) infiltrations are beneficial, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, held from Dec. 1 to 6 in Chicago.
Alice La Marra, MD, from the University of L'Aquila in Italy, and colleagues examined the impact of PRP in 50 athletes with degenerative Achilles tendinosis and 30 with degenerative patellar tendinosis.

Jordan Farmar has torn hamstring

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring.

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Lakers Index. Blog

The Lakers announced the backup point guard's injury Monday. The team also said Pau Gasol has a mildly sprained right ankle.
Farmar left Sunday night's game against Portland after playing just 56 seconds. He had an ultrasound examination Monday.

Researchers identify evidence-based uses of platelet-rich plasma in orthopedic surgery

Researchers of a study which outlined the evidence-based uses of platelet-rich plasma found that the therapy is efficacious in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, but other indications require additional research.