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Autologous Conditioned Plasma
Autologous Condition
Plasma (ACP), also known as
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Injections for the treatment of
difficult chronic
Tendonitis around the hand and
foot as well as Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis),
Achilles Tendonitis and Patellar
Tendonitis. These types of
tissue have limited blood supply
so they heal slowly. In most
instances these are areas where
steroid injections have been
marginally effective or
contra-indicated.
What is Autologous
Condition Plasma (ACP)?
ACP is formulated by drawing
a small amount (@10ML) of the
patient’s own blood and spinning
it in a centrifuge for 5
minutes. This separates the red
and white blood cells leaving a
solution containing the
concentrated platelets. This
solution contains an average of
2 to 5 the number of platelets
and 2 to 25 times the amount of
various growth factors than the
same amount of the patient’s
whole blood.
After an injury, the body
rushes many types of cells
including platelets to the
injured area. This solution.
containing concentrated growth
factors, initiates and
accelerates wound healing.
Studies that have been done on
patients after ACP injection
suggest a facilitated healing
response resulting from the
introduction of the greater
amount of growth factors into
the damaged tissue.
What is the treatment
process?
After the reduction process
described above, the plama
containing platelets with growth
factors is injected into the
injured tissue. A local
anesthetic is used if necessary.
The entire process takes less
than 30 minutes including
drawing the patient’s blood
centrifuging it and then
injecting the plasma portion
into the injured site.
What happens afterward?
The patient can expect some
soreness for about 48 hours
following the injection. Mild
Analgesic medication such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol) with or
without codeine can be used to
treat discomfort.
NON-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications
are prohibited for one week
afterward as they interfere with
the action of the ACP.
A follow-up appointment will
be made with the Physician for
after the injection.
It is recommended that
physical activity involving the
affected limb be limited for
24-hours.
A stretching program
directed by a Physical Therapist
should be followed for two
weeks. Four weeks
post-injection, the patient may
return to recreational activity
and sports as tolerated.
Improvement over several
months is anticipated as the
tissue heals in response to the
stimulus from the growth
factors.
Is it safe?
No ill effects have been
reported in any of the many
studies executed. This process
uses the patient’s own blood
thereby eliminating any chance
of rejection response and
minimizes the likelihood of
injection.
Does it work?
The PRP injections have been
used in many studies as well as
on Professional Athletes.
Patients have reported an
average of 60% pain reduction
after 8-weeks and 81%
improvement after 6- months.
Do you have a patient you
think could benefit by PRP
injections? Please contact us at 1.800.943.8099.
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