PRP injections may promote healing at tissue harvest site for ACL reconstruction
July 24, 2012
Topic: PRP injections
When a patient has to undergo surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), physicians sometimes repair the tissue with a harvested portion of that patient's own patellar tendon, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). However, while this may help fix the ACL, the healing process at the site of tissue harvest may be slow.
One team of scientists discovered that platelet rich plasma (PRP injections) may help promote healing of the patellar tendon, as reported by Healio.
PRP injections contain a concentration of tissue-healing platelets that may be up to 10 times higher than what is naturally found in the body, according to the AAOS. In order to investigate the effects of PRP injections on patellar tendon harvest sites, researchers conducted a study in which 27 individuals who underwent ACL reconstruction through this technique did nor did not receive PRP.
"PRP had a positive effect on patellar tendon harvest site healing on MRI after 6 months," the researchers said, quoted by the news source. "[PRP] also reduced pain in the immediate postoperative period."
Furthermore, those who received PRP did not experience any adverse events.
Additional Research & Education news & articles:
- Boston researchers attempt to grow bone with clay – 5/16/2013
- Study finds vitamin C not to be viable therapy for gout – 5/16/2013
- Soldiers who suffer TBIs often return to combat – 5/14/2013
- Research reveals genetic link to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – 5/14/2013
- CDC reports that arthritis patients need to walk more – 5/13/2013