Blood contains over 1,000 types of bioactive ingredients such as growth factors, protein molecules and cells which can help to repair damaged tissues. Some of these factors are secreted by platelet cells. They circulate in the fluid part of the blood known as plasma. By concentrating this fraction of blood, and delivering it to damaged ligaments, tendons and muscles, we have an active ingredient which can accelerate soft tissue to repair.
It is now possible to obtain this fraction of the blood by centrifuge. The red and white blood cells can first be separated out by slow spin. This is then followed by a hard spin which concentrates the platelets.
The patient’s own blood is obtained and used for the treatment injection.
Left: Centrifuge for PRP preparation.
Right: PRP has been injected leaving red and white cells behind in the special syringe
Once activated, a fibrin scaffold will form for the active ingredients to act. The half-life of the platelets is only about seven days. It is, therefore, necessary to have repeated injections up to three times to obtain the maximum beneficial effect with this treatment.
The data available to support its beneficial effect in clinical use is incomplete. The following conditions have been found to respond to PRP injections.
ELBOW | Tennis elbow, Golfer’s elbow | ||||||
WRIST | DeQuervain Tenosynovitis | ||||||
MUSCLES | Hamstring tear, Partial Tendo Achilles tear | ||||||
KNEE | Patellar tendinitis, Osteoarthritis, Meniscal Tear | ||||||
WOUND Care -Venous ulcers |
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Procedure:
Withdraw 27ml of blood
Preparation of the PRP (with PRP kit)
Put into the centrifuge to spin for 15 mins
Blood is divided into 3 layers – Serum, Platelet-Rich Plasmas and Red Blood Cell
Injection under Ultrasound guidance
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PRP Injection is available at our centre. For further information, please contact us on 25378884 or info@topshoulder.com.hk
The information on this website is for general educational purpose only.
Readers should consult their orthopaedic surgeon before considering treatment or surgery, and should not interpret their condition solely based on the information above.