First the hype, now the science: Evidence-based recommendations for PRP (press release)
JAAOS Article - "Platelet-rich Plasma in Orthopaedic Applications: Evidence-based Recommendations for Treatment"
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has grabbed headlines in recent years for its role in helping some of sports' biggest stars return to play following injury –including golfer Tiger Woods, Super Bowl winner Hines Ward and NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Professional and amateur athletes alike seek PRP to address a wide-range of orthopaedic conditions, including injuries to the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. PRP is made by placing a sample of a patient's own blood in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are cells rich in growth factors. The PRP is then injected back into the injury to stimulate tissue growth and healing.
Use of PRP has proliferated in recent years especially in sports medicine where injured athletes are eager to recover faster and return to their sport. Despite its rising popularity, PRP remains a costly treatment rarely covered by insurance because little scientific evidence has supported its use – until now.
A paper in the December issue of the Journal of the ...
