SAN FRANCISCO – The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting includes symposia and presentations that will assess the success and potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment.
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WHAT: The AAOS Annual Meeting Symposium – "Should I Use Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for my Patients in the Office and Operating Room?"
WHO:A panel of international orthopaedic experts will discuss current PRP research and data, as well as their individual experiences and outcomes in using PRP to treat a variety of injuries and conditions.
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- Michael J. Stuart, MD (moderator), The Basic Science of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): What Clinicians Need to Know
- Steven P. Arnoczky, DVMPRP for Muscle Injury and Tendinopathy: We Use It, but... Should we?
- Nicola Maffulli, MDPRP for Tendon repair: Rotator Cuff and Achilles
- Pietro Randelli, MD PRP and Ligament and Meniscal Healing: Facts, Fiction, Science and Experience
- Nicholas A. Sgaglione, MDPRP for Articular Cartilage Injury and Osteoarthritis
- Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA Panel Discussion/Questions
WHERE: Room 307 – Moscone South
WHY: Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriquez, and other elite athletes, have given notoriety to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment – a relatively new procedure in which a patient's blood is drawn, separated and re-injected into injured joints and muscles to ease pain. As a result, many patients are seeking and receiving PRP treatment, despite limited research and clinical trial data in support of its use.
"Platelet rich plasma therapy may be a viable option for some patients, but the indications and efficacy remain uncertain," said Michael J. Stuart, MD, symposium moderator. "The most up-to-date research on PRP will be presented at this year's Annual Meeting, and we hope this forum, along with dozens of PRP therapy research papers, will help to define the appropriate uses and guide orthopedic practice."
OTHER PRP RESEARCH PRESENTED AT THE 2012 AAOS ANNUAL MEETINGA second symposium (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on Friday Feb. 10) will feature a panel of orthopaedic surgeons discussing the use of PRP in the treatment of knee arthritis. Other PRP research highlights include:
Platelet-Rich Rich Plasma is More Effective than Cortisone for Chronic Severe Plantar Fasciitis (February 7)
A small study looked at the effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the treatment of the most severe cases of plantar fasciitis – a common heel injury causing severe heel pain and affecting approximately two million people each year.
While more than 90 percent of patients with plantar fasciitis will improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment methods (rest, ice, compression, exercise, activity modification, selective immobilization and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication), a small number of patients will have chronic plantar fasciitis that is difficult to treat and extremely painful.
In the study, 36 patients with severe chronic plantar fasciitis, who had failed non-operative traditional treatment, were placed into one of two groups: those treated with a single cortisone injection, and those treated with a PRP injection at the injury site. Each patient used a walker for two weeks, and performed prescribed exercises, before returning to normal activities. Investigators used American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Scores (1 to 100) to assess results. The patients treated with cortisone shots (average age 59) had post-treatment average scores of 81 at three months following treatment. These decreased to 74 at six months, and 58 at 12 months. In comparison, patients treated with a PRP injection (average age, 51) showed improved post-treatment average scores of 95 at three months post treatment, and 94 at both six and 12 months.
Combination Treatment using Platelet-Rich Plasma and an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker for Muscle Contusions (February 10)
A separate, animal study looked at the potential effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), in combination with the hypertension and heart drug Losartin, in treating muscle contusions (bruises) in mice. While most contusions are minor and heal quickly, more severe cases can lead to serious complications. Building on initial evidence that PRP can accelerate muscle healing after injury, this study explored the possible advantages of using Losartan (an established drug commonly used to treat hypertension and to avoid complications following congestive heart failure) in combination with PRP. When used three days after surgery, Losartan has also been proven to promote functional improvement and muscle regeneration, and decrease scarring.
The study involved 40 mice with injured lower leg muscles. Some were given PRP alone; some, Losartan alone (proven to promote functional improvement, regenerate muscles and decrease scarring). Ten mice received PRP and Losartan. At four weeks post injury the mice that received the combination PRP and Losartan treatment showed improved muscle strength, enhanced muscle regeneration, greater angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) and decreased scarring.
Additional PRP-related abstracts include:
PRP-Fibrin for Arthroscopically Repaired Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Ongoing Positive Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma in Lateral Epicondylitis After Two Years: A RCT
Increasing Platelet Concentration in Platelet Rich Plasma Inhibits ACL Cell Function
Supplementation with Platelet Rich Plasma Improves the In Vitro Formation of Cartilage
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For more information on bone and joint health, visit Orthoinfo.org
For more information, contact:Kristina Goel 847-384-4034 312-388-5241 [email protected]Lauren Pearson Riley 847-384-4031 708-227-1773 [email protected]
/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Feb. 7, 2012/
SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
